ASX:XRO

Morgans Financial Upgrades Xero to Buy from Accumulate; Price Target is AU$111

ASX Midday Sector Update: Information Technology Shares Gain, Consumer Discretionary Falls

Information technology stocks were leading gainers with a rise of 1.4% in midday trading on Friday.WiseTech Global (ASX:WTC) was up nearly 4%, and Xero (ASX:XRO) was marginally higher.On the flip side, consumer discretionary stocks were down 0.8% to lead decliners.Kmart owner Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) was shedding more than 1%, while Aristocrat Leisure (ASX:ALL) fell nearly 1%.

ASX Midday Sector Update: Information Technology Stocks Gain, Energy Shares Slide

Information technology advanced 6% to lead gainers in midday trading on Thursday, after US-listed peers drove the S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite to new records on Wednesday.Shares of WiseTech Global (ASX:WTC) rose 7%, while those of Xero (ASX:XRO) increased6%.Meanwhile, energy stocks fell 1% amid continued optimism for a peace deal between the US and Iran.A fire erupted at Viva Energy Group's (ASX:VEA) oil refinery in Geelong overnight, impacting one of the only two refineries that are still operating in Australia. The company requested an immediate trading halt on its securities as it prepares to disclose the impact of the fire.

ASX Midday Sector Update: Information Technology Stocks Advance, Energy Sector Struggles

Information technology stocks advanced 2% at midday Wednesday.Shares of WiseTech Global (ASX:WTC) and Xero (ASX:XRO) rose 2% in recent trade.Meanwhile, the energy sector struggled, shedding 2%, as global oil demand is expected to plunge due to disruptions stemming from the ongoing Middle East conflict.Shares of Woodside Energy Group (ASX:WDS) fell nearly 3% in recent trade, while those of Santos (ASX:STO) were down over 2%.

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.

ASX Midday Sector Update: Energy Stocks Advance, Information Technology Struggles

Energy stocks were gaining nearly 3% in midday trading Monday as oil prices spiked once again after peace talks between the US and Iran failed over the weekend, prompting US President Donald Trump to order a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.Cue Energy Resources (ASX:CUE) and Palm Valley joint venture partners Echelon Resources (ASX:ECH) and Central Petroleum (ASX:CTP) signed a binding multi-year gas sales deal with the Northern Territory government. Cue Energy shares rose 5% and Central Petroleum more than 3%, while Echelon was over 2% lower.On the flip side, nearly all other sectors were in the red, as information technology stocks led decliners with a fall of more than 2%.WiseTech Global (ASX:WTC) was down more than 1%, and Xero (ASX:XRO) was shedding almost 2%.