The ASX 200 added 0.36% today to log its third straight weekly rise. The Consumer Discretionary sector led the gains, adding 2.1%, with Wesfarmers adding 3.5% and Premier Investments up by over 7%.
Meanwhile, Energy stocks lost 1.1% after Trump called for lower oil prices.
The Bank of Japan lifted interest rates today, as widely expected. The BoJ increased its overnight call rate by 25 basis points to a 17-year high of 0.5% — the third increase in under a year.
The decision has contributed to higher JGB yields and a fall in USD/JPY that’s helping AUD/USD.
Ten-year JGB yields are up almost 2 basis points near 1.227%, while the USD/JPY extended its intraday fall, contributing to a rise in AUD/USD to a five-week high of US63.24 cents.
Monadelphous has flagged an above-consensus half-year profit due to improved non-operating items and operating margins. The engineering company expects profit after tax for the period ended 31 December 2024 to be in the range of $40 million to $43 million.
Wesfarmers delivered its best daily close in over five weeks after Goldman Sachs upgraded its rating to Buy with a $78.70 price target.
Five at Five
Maximus Resources identifies shallow high-grade mineralisation that expands resource potential
Maximus Resources Ltd has expanded its resource potential after it identified shallow high-grade gold mineralisation at the Eagles Nest deposit, around 7 kilometres south of its Wattle Dam Gold Project in Western Australia
Buru Energy offloads interest in Barbwire Terrace Base Metal Project in return for net smelter return
Buru Energy Ltd has accepted an offer from Sipa Resources Ltd to sell its 50% share in the Barbwire Terrace Base Metal Project, in return for a 0.6% net smelter royalty
Silver Mines poised to begin drilling Elsienora Project with multiple silver and gold targets
Silver Mines Ltd is set to begin drilling at the Elsienora Project in New South Wales, targeting gold and silver mineralisation at the Cuddyong, Pickers Prospect, Nobbs Reef and the Elsienora prospects.
Altech Batteries CERENERGY® battery project awarded highest possible Dark Green rating
Altech Batteries Ltd welcomes news that its CERENERGY® ® Sodium Chloride Solid State (SCSS) Battery project has received the highest possible green rating of “Dark Green” from Standard and Poor’s Global Ratings
International Graphite closer to realising nation's first integrated battery graphite supply chain last quarter
International Graphite Ltd delivered both mining and downstream processing milestones in the last quarter of 2025 on its journey to establish Western Australia’s first vertically integrated graphite supply chain, spanning from mining to battery-grade materials production.
On your six
Researchers use AI to diagnose lung diseases with 96.57% accuracy
A research team from the Charles Darwin University, United International University, and Australian Catholic University (ACU) is developing and training artificial intelligence (AI) models to analyse lung ultrasound videos and diagnose respiratory diseases.
One to watch
Tolu Minerals CEO updates on Tolukuma Gold Mine expansion
Tolu Minerals Ltd (ASX:TOK) CEO Iain Macpherson talks with Proactive’s Tylah Tully about the company’s progress and strategic initiatives at the Tolukuma Gold Mine in Papua New Guinea.