The Point

Aussie equities: How Xero and NEXTDC are leveraging AI technology

On a tour of the US late last year, Pendal equities analyst Elise McKay met with dozens of companies – and found generative AI was a topic in almost every meeting.

“There’s strong evidence that over the longer-term generative AI will have a big impact across the business landscape,” McKay said at the time.

Six months later, investors are still entranced by the US “Magnificent Seven” tech stocks.

But several ASX-listed companies are making solid progress in leveraging the technology, points out Elise. These include cloud-based finance software maker Xero and data centre manager NextDC – both held by Pendal.

In her latest update, Elise outlines XRO’s “Just Ask Xero” AI assistant and NXT’s Nvidia-based “AI factory” which is expected to launch in coming months.

Elise also addresses one of the big issues that continues to face the AI industry – access to power.

The industry is working on solutions including better computing efficiency, improved cooling technologies and alternative power sources.

Jim Taylor: What’s driving ASX stocks this week?

Crispin Murray: What’s driving markets this week

Jim Taylor: What’s driving ASX stocks this week?

What’s driving ASX stocks this week?

Here are the main factors driving the ASX this week, according to Pendal portfolio manager PETE DAVIDSON. Reported by investment specialist Chris Adams.

Crispin Murray: What’s driving the market this week?

Most people would be aware from last week’s per-capita recession headlines that Australia’s population growth is outstripping economic growth.

But population growth – especially immigration and temporary visas – is also supporting corporate earnings, says Pendal’s head of equities Crispin Murray.

“All up, we’re probably looking at about a 3 per cent rise in the population today versus a year ago.

“People are coming to Australia with money in their pockets, setting themselves up and getting accommodation – which is driving up rents.

“Part of the reason we’re seeing resilience in the top line of companies is because they’re basically driven by nominal GDP, not per capita GDP.”

Population growth is also offsetting the effects of the ‘mortgage cliff’ which forces households into higher, variable mortgage payments as low-rate fixed loans expire, Crispin says.

“With each company we met over reporting season, we talked about the issues facing them and if they were seeing consequences from this mortgage cliff. So far, the consequences are very limited.”