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FINWIRES

ASX Midday Sector Update: Information Technology Stocks Gain, Energy Declines

-- Information technology stocks were advancing over 4% to lead gainers in midday trading Tuesday, as markets remained hopeful for an eventual peace agreement between the US and Iran even as a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz took effect.

WiseTech Global (ASX:WTC) and Xero (ASX:XRO), the two biggest stocks in the sector based on market capitalization, rose past 6% and over 5%, respectively.

On the flip side, energy stocks were declining less than 1% as oil prices again tracked below $100 per barrel.

Elixir Energy (ASX:EXR) bucked the trend and was advancing more than 16% after Euroz Hartleys said in a Monday note that the company is a key pick to tap the potential of the Taroom Trough, an emerging onshore oil and gas basin in Queensland that is gaining mainstream attention.

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Research Alert: Pega: Q1 Results Miss, But Strength In Pega Cloud Offsets

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:PEGA reported total revenue of $430M, missing consensus by $37.2M and declining 10% Y/Y, while non-GAAP EPS of $0.46 missed by $0.23 and fell 39% Y/Y. However, Pega Cloud revenue surged 36% Y/Y to $205M, now representing 47.7% of total revenue and validating the cloud transition thesis. Pega Cloud annual contract value (ACV) acceleration remains the standout metric, growing 29% Y/Y to $906.7M and accelerating from 23% growth in Q1, demonstrating continued strong demand for the company's AI workflow automation platform. Total ACV grew 12% Y/Y to $1.62B, with backlog increasing 16% Y/Y to $2.01B providing revenue visibility. We believe the robust cash flow generation of $206.5M in free cash flow and a solid balance sheet with $474M in cash provides financial flexibility for continued AI investment. Despite near-term profitability pressure, we expect the sustained Pega Cloud momentum and strong ACV growth to support the business transformation.

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Air New Zealand CFO to Resign

Air New Zealand (ASX:AIZ, NZE:AIR) said that Chief Financial Officer Richard Thomson has resigned, effective Aug. 28, according to a Wednesday filing with the New Zealand bourse.The airline has started the process of searching for a new CFO, the filing added.

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