The ASX had lifted today as of 2pm as financial gains offset energy and mining weakness.
The S&P/ASX200 gained 31.60 points or 0.40% to 8,014.00, crossing above its 20-day moving average. The index has lost 0.96% for the last five days, but sits 1.65% below its 52-week high.
The top-performing stocks at time of writing were Strike Energy Ltd (ASX:STX) and Charter Hall Group (ASX:CHC) Ltd., up 7.35% and 2.92% respectively. Neither stock had news today, however, Strike may still be basking in the glory of two high-quality, low-impurity conventional gas discoveries made in the Erregulla.
Strike managing director and CEO Stuart Nicholls said at the time of the announcement: “The discoveries at Erregulla Deep are higher quality than Strike anticipated prior to drilling, with reservoir quality, formation pressures and lower CO2 content all exceeding expectations relative to the West Erregulla wells.
“The Erregulla Deep-1 well is the most easterly and deepest penetration of the Kingia-High Cliff Sandstones in the basin to date and is a significant play extender to the East and at depth for Strike’s 100% acreage.
“Deep-1 exploration well with an aggregate 28m of net gas pay at depths never encountered in the Perth Basin."
Financials, Utilities and Consumer Discretionary all performed well, gaining 1.60%, 1.15% and 1.09% respectively at time of writing. Energy and Materials were the worst performers, down 2.29% and 1.14%.
Looking at the small cap sector (on what was a slow news day), the S&P Small Ordinaries (XSO) dropped 0.27% to 2,910.30. Over the last five days, the index has lost 3.17%.
Five at five
QMines completes maiden metallurgical testwork at Develin Creek, confirms saleable copper and pyrite concentrates
QMines Ltd (ASX:QML) has wrapped up maiden metallurgical testwork conducted on drill core from its Develin Creek project, just 90 kilometres northwest of Rockhampton, Queensland.
Nexus Minerals receives big demand for $4.1 million raise to advance the Wallbrook Gold Project
With firm commitments to raise $4.1 million in a highly sought-after placement, Nexus Minerals Ltd (ASX:NXM) is putting itself in a strong position to advance its Wallbrook Gold Project in the north-eastern Goldfields of WA.
Orthocell products hit Canadian market with first sale through partner BioHorizons
Orthocell Ltd (ASX:OCC, OTC:ORHHF) has taken another step toward fulfilling its global market expansion ambitions, officially entering the Canadian biotech market with the first sale of its products through distribution partner BioHorizons.
Immuron: US FDA provides favourable feedback ahead of investigational new drug application for IMM-529
Immuron Ltd (NASDAQ:IMRN, ASX:IMC) has received “favourable feedback” from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in support of the development of its IMM-529 product to prevent or treat Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI).
Noxopharm secures $1.8 million in advanced funding ahead of research and development rebate
Noxopharm Ltd (ASX:NOX, OTC:NOXOF) has inked a secured loan agreement for $1.8 million advanced funding against an anticipated rebate under the Australian Government research and development (R&D) Tax Incentive Scheme.
On your six
Tech Bytes: X set to lose more ad revenue as advertisers flag cuts to spending on controversial platform
With X now banned in Brazil after an extended legal battle with its Supreme Court, the social media platform formally known as Twitter will also lose significant levels of ad revenue into 2025, according to a survey of advertising firms.
The one to watch
American Rare Earths Unveils Promising Assay Results from 2024 Drilling at Cowboy State Mine
American Rare Earths CEO Chris Gibbs joined Steve Darling from Proactive to announce the first assay results from the company's 2024 drilling campaign at the Cowboy State Mine area.