Weekly Wrap: AI Margin Squeeze Hits Software Peers as ASX Slips, Yet Week Ends Higher

Core Viewpoint - The ASX 200 experienced a decline of 1.4% due to fears that AI could disrupt software companies while also being too costly, despite a weekly gain of 2.4% [1] Group 1: Software Sector Impact - The ASX tech sector has lost 23% of its value over the past month due to concerns about margin erosion from AI [2] - Software companies are facing margin compression from multiple angles, with the software as a service model being particularly challenged [4] Group 2: Individual Stock Performance - WiseTech Global shares fell 10.4% to $42.62, Xero shares dropped 4.5% to $73.49, and TechnologyOne shares decreased 7.1% to $20.17 [3] - Austal shares plummeted 22.8% to $4.87 after reducing earnings guidance by 18% due to an accounting error [8] - Webjet shares fell 25.2% to 58¢ after canceling takeover talks and cutting profit guidance [9] - Nick Scali shares declined 22.3% to $18.48 due to weaker sales in Australia and New Zealand [10] Group 3: Banking Sector - Commonwealth Bank shares decreased 1.4% to $176.20, National Australia Bank shares fell 1.1% to $46.01, and Westpac shares dropped 1.2% to $40.52, despite a strong net profit from Westpac [6] - ANZ shares were an outlier, rising 1.3% to $40.89 after brokers upgraded profit expectations [7] Group 4: Mining Sector Outlook - A significant week is anticipated for major miners BHP and Rio Tinto, with earnings reports expected to reflect boosts from rising copper prices and iron ore strength [13]