Back to Articles
AI and Software Makers’ Valuation is the ASX Reporting Season’s Big Question, Not Profits

Australian Financial Review

ENRICHED

Details

Date Published
18 Feb 2026
Priority Score
2
Australian
Yes
Created
19 Feb 2026, 12:30 am

Authors (1)

Description

Institutional shareholders are using their post-results talks with large companies to quiz them on the big uncertainty hanging over global markets right now.

Summary

The article assesses the impact of artificial intelligence and software companies' valuations on the ASX reporting season, emphasizing how these factors, rather than traditional profit metrics, are driving investor inquiries. The piece highlights a shift in focus towards understanding the sustainability and potential of AI technologies within financial markets. While the article primarily discusses market perceptions, it briefly touches on the transformative potential of AI capabilities, although it lacks an in-depth exploration of existential or catastrophic AI risks. Its contribution to AI safety discourse is limited to market dynamics rather than governance or risk mitigation measures.

Body

MarketsChanticleerPrint articleFeb 19, 2026 – 8.53amFollow our live coverage of the February 2026 ASX reporting seasonFor chief executives and chief financial officers, the profit season’s strange and wonderful mating dance starts only with the release of the actual numbers.Loading...James Thomson is senior Chanticleer columnist based in Melbourne. He was the Companies editor and editor of BRW Magazine. Connect with James on Twitter. Email James at j.thomson@afr.comSaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? LoginLicense articleFollow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.Find out moreRead MoreChanticleerOpinionEarnings seasonAISoftwareInvestingActivist investingSharesSharemarketFetching latest articles