Live ASX News Today
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3rd Jun 05:51 PM AEST
ALE (ASX:LEP) sells hotel properties worth A$73 million
ALE Property Group (ASX:LEP) announced on 3 June 2021 that it has done a portfolio review and sold out properties six properties across Australia.
ALE managing director Guy Farrands stated that these properties are leased to ALH, Australia’s largest hotel operator, on long-term triple-net leases.
The net funds generated from the sale are estimated to be AU$71 million and will be used to decrease the net debt of the Company.
Meanwhile, the stock LEP stopped trading at AU$4.510 per share, down 0.880% on Thursday.
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3rd Jun 05:27 PM AEST
Woolworths Group (ASX:WOW) invests in power purchase agreement with NSW wind farm
Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX:WOW) has made its first renewable power purchase agreement (PPA) with a new-build NSW wind farm to infuse 195,000 Megawatt hours of green electricity into the state's energy network on an annual basis.
Woolworths will be benefitted from the PPA January 2022 onwards when around 30% of Woolworths Group's NSW energy needs will be met with the electricity needed to run as many as 108 supermarkets. This will help avoiding almost 158,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every year.
Under a ten-year deal, the Company has collaborated with CWP Renewables to buy power generated by the new Bango wind farm outside Yass, thereby boosting both regional investment and employment.
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3rd Jun 05:27 PM AEST
Humm Group (ASX:HUM) shares up on new user-friendly feature
Shares of Australia-based full service payments Company Humm Group Limited (ASX:HUM) closed up 1.980% to AU$1.030 at, highest since 1 June 2021.
The buy now, pay later (BNPL) Company has announced a new feature giving merchants instant access to its services, and users could simply tap their digital wallet to make a purchase at any Humm merchant in Australia, regardless of the instore sale system.
The stock is 30.0% below its 52-week high.
Analysts on an average expect Humm Group's net income to rise 58.2% to AU$76.62 million in its current fiscal year after falling 37.3% to AU$48.44 million in its previous fiscal year.
YTD, Humm Group is down 8%.
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3rd Jun 02:26 PM AEST
Automobile sales strongest in May so far in 2021
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) released the recent figures for automobile sales in Australia in May.
May witnessed a record number of 100,809 new vehicle sales, the highest in 2021 so far.
FCAI said the result of this month surpasses the March result of 100,005 and shows a rise of 68.3% on the corresponding month last year, which was hit by COVID-19 induced lockdowns.
Image Source: © Belogorodov | Megapixl.com
Toyota was the market leader in May, recording sales of 21,156. Other contributing firms include Mazda (10,554), Kia (7,124), Ford (6,493) and Mitsubishi (6,478).
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3rd Jun 02:25 PM AEST
GWR Group (ASX:GWR) gains on securing partner for haulage operations
Shares of GWR Group (ASX:GWR) gained as much as 16% to AU$0.290, their biggest intraday percentage gain since 9 April 2021.
The gold and iron ore explorer said it has executed an agreement with a logistics group to underpin its haulage operations in the Port of Geraldton in Western Australia.
The Company stated 208,360 tonnes of iron ore have been exported from the port.
Haulage volumes are now exceeding the company's daily haulage tonnage target of 2,700 tonnes per day to the Port of Geraldton, informed GWR.
GWR also expects to ship at least twice per month in order to achieve its one-million-tonne Stage 1 production target by December.
Though the stock is down ~43.2% this year so far, as of the last close, it was trading 12% up at AUD 0.280 per share at 2:20 PM AEST.
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3rd Jun 02:17 PM AEST
Wet Winter forecast for majority of Australia regions
The latest outlook of Bureau of Meterology forecasts a wetter-than-average winter for the majority of Australia between June and September.
The key factor triggering the above-average rainfall forecast is a negative IOD. In periods of a negative IOD, the Indian Ocean is warmer along the Australian coast, rising convection and rainfall over Australia.
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3rd Jun 02:00 PM AEST
Neometals (ASX:NMT) gains on deal to sell Mt Marion spodumene offtake rights
Lithium miner Neometals Ltd (ASX:NMT) gained as much as 2.8% to AU$0.545 per share on Thursday.
The Company stated it has accepted offer to sell its Mt Marion spodumene offtake option rights to Reed Industrial Minerals Pty, owner of Mt Marion Lithium Project in south-west of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, for AU$30 million.
The Company informed funds generated will bolster NMT's balance sheet, increase cash, receivables and investments to ~AU$107 million from AU$81.6 million reported at end of March quarter.
NMT is up 92.7% this year, as of the last close.
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3rd Jun 01:59 PM AEST
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3rd Jun 01:33 PM AEST
Clinical Labs (ASX:ACL) upgrades earnings forecast, shares hit record high
Shares of the pathology services provider (ASX:ACL) gained as much as 9.3% to a record high of AU$3.88.
The Company has upgraded its fiscal 2021 net profit after tax guidance by 10%-15% to between AU$82 million and AU$85.4 million.
Also, the Company has raised FY21 revenue outlook by 2% to 3% to between AU$657.7 million and AU$663.3 million.
The stock has posted its biggest intraday percentage gain ever.
ACL is down 6.6% since its IPO on 14 May 2021 and was trading at AU$3.760 per share, up 5.915% at 1:20 PM AEST.
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3rd Jun 12:41 PM AEST
S2 Resources (ASX:S2R) climbs on farm-in deal with Kinross Gold
Shares of S2 Resources Ltd (ASX:S2R) gained as much as 6.3% to AU$0.170, their highest since 21 May 2021.
The mineral explorer informed that it has entered a binding farm-in agreement with North American gold producer Kinross Gold Corp.
Deal involves four exploration licences and licence applications.
Under the deal, Kinross can spend up to AU$9.5 million to earn a 70% interest in these licences covering 83 sq km in northern Finland.
S2R stock has gained 23.1% this year so far, as of the last close.
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3rd Jun 12:40 PM AEST
Pro Medicus (ASX:PME) hits one-month high on agreement with Mayo Clinic
Shares of Pro Medicus Limited (ASX:PME) rose as much as 3.120% to AU$47.590, their highest level since 4 May 2021.
The health imaging technology provider stated its unit, Visage Imaging Inc, has signed a multi-year research collaboration agreement with non-profit American academic medical centre Mayo Clinic.
It stated that agreement will serve as framework for collaboration between the two parties to develop and commercialise in the field of Artificial Intelligence.
The stock has posted its biggest intraday percentage gain since 31 May 2021.
PME has risen 35.1% this year, as of the last close.
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3rd Jun 11:42 AM AEST
MMA Offshore (ASX:MRM) updates on Contracts Asset Sales
MMA Offshore Limited (ASX:MRM) provided an update on recent contract awards and its asset sales program progress.
Contract Awards Highlights-
MRM has recently been awarded 2 significant long-term vessel contracts, for offshore wind support in Taiwan and from Australian Department of Defence. It has also secured contracts with OMV New Zealand and INPEX for the Ichthys field in Australia’s Northwest. The combined value of contracts is AU$44 million.
Asset Sales Update Highlights-
MRM holds several vessels for sale, which are not core to Company’s strategy. It recently completed the sale of three ships for a total of approximately AU$5 million. Sales values have been in line with the assets held for sale value on the Company’s balance sheet. In addition, proceeds from the asset sales will be used to pay down debt, further de-levering the balance sheet.
The MRM shares at 11:30 AM AEST were trading 4.225% up at AU$0.370 per share.
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3rd Jun 11:41 AM AEST
Matador (ASX:MZZ) Increases Landholding Across Newfoundland, North America
Matador Mining Limited (ASX:MZZ) has increased holding to 37% after a significant strategic review around its Cape Ray Gold Project and other prospective gold regions across Newfoundland, North America.
Two blocks adjacent to the Cape Ray Gold Project area have been acquired. These were Identified via a comprehensive targeted review of the contiguous regions within tenements.
Also, the Hermitage Project (Hermitage) is to the east of the Cape Ray Gold Project. Other miners have previously explored the Hermitage region. A review of historical work is also underway.
MZZ shares traded 5% higher at AU$0.525 at 11:30 AM AEST.
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3rd Jun 11:41 AM AEST
Crude oil prices surge to a one-year high on rising demand prospects
Source: © Alexandersikov | Megapixl.com
Crude oil prices surged to one-year high levels on Wednesday amid OPEC and its allies’ decision to gradually increase the production and falling crude oil inventories.
- August delivery Brent crude oil futures traded at US$71.28 per barrel up 0.04% while WTI crude oil futures for July delivery traded down 0.10% at US$68.76 per barrel as of 3 June 2021 at 10:14 AM AEST.
- The crude oil prices rallied more than 40% from the start of 2021 on the back of a recovery in energy demands in leading economies including the US and China and accelerated roll out of COVID-19 vaccines.
- US crude oil inventories fell by 5.36 million barrels in the last week ending 28 May, as per the data released by American Petroleum Institute (API).
- The slow progress of the US-Iran deal also provides room for crude oil, buoying the prices to the current levels.
- However, reviving Iran's nuclear deal can create oil gluts into the market, weighing crude oil prices.
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3rd Jun 11:40 AM AEST
Australia's energy stocks up 7% so far this week as crude rallies
Australia's energy stocks AXEJ gained as much as 2.9% to hit a seven-week high on Thursday.
Including the session's gains, the sub-index has added 6.7% week-to-date, and is on track for its best performance since Nov 2020.
The Oil prices have hit their highest in more than one year to settle at $71.25 a barrel overnight as investors took heart from producer club OPEC+ sticking to its plan to ease supply cuts gradually.
Crude has been gaining ground this week on hopes that summer driving season in the United States would buoy demand.
Worley Ltd (ASX:WOR), which provides services to oil firms, jumped 5.7% to be the top gainer in the sub-index and the benchmark AXJO.
Fuel refiner Ampol Limited (ASX:ALD) climbed 3.4% and peer Viva Energy Group (ASX:VEA) gained 2%
Index majors Oil Search Limited (ASX:OSH) and Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX:WPL) both gained around 2.7%.
OSH and WPL are on track to rise for a third day in line with AXEJ's gains.
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3rd Jun 11:39 AM AEST
Calidus (ASX:CAI) gets first AU$25 million of debt facility
Calidus Resources Limited (ASX:CAI) has received an initial fund of AU$25 million from its debt facility to ensure construction at its Warrawoona gold project is on schedule.
The funds are part of the AU$110 million debt facility provided by Macquarie Bank. Along with Calidus’ cash reserves, it will fully fund the start of production.
The first production is on track for the first half of Q2 2022. Plant construction at Warrawoona is advancing rapidly, with bulk earthworks, concrete works and CIL tank building well advanced. As a result, CAI is now less than a year away from joining the list of ASX gold producers.
CAI shares were quoted at AUD 0.480 at 11:20 AM AEST.
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3rd Jun 11:39 AM AEST
Norwood (ASX:NOR) wins Enhanced Software Development Contract
Norwood Systems Ltd (ASX:NOR) received an AU$170,000 contract for software development from Perth-based Avicena Systems. The contract is for the Avicena Sentinel pathogen screening instrument. It is the second contract from Avicena since 16 December 2020.
Norwood further enhances the software functionality of the Avicena Sentinel’s Automated Lamp Testing System. In addition, it shall take the software to a stage where it can be deployed for validation and research purposes. It is expected to be completed by mid-June 2021
NOR shares surged 37.499% at AU$0.022 at 11:20 AM AEST.
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3rd Jun 11:36 AM AEST
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3rd Jun 11:29 AM AEST
Anglo American decided to resume Moranbah mine’s operations after Grosvenor
Source: © Helderpc | Megapixl.com
The British multinational mining company, Anglo American has decided to restart its northern Queensland’s underground Moranbah North coal mine.
- The miner has taken off its workforce from the mine due to an elevated gas reading on 20 February 2021, creating a potential threat to workers' safety.
- The development activities at the company's Grosvenor mine, located nearby to Moranbah mine also started this week.
- The underground operations at the Grosvenor mine were shut due to an explosion in May 2020 that injured five workers at the mine site.
- The miner also pledged to improve the HSE condition of the mine for workers by incorporating automation and remote working operations.
- Both the mines account for almost half of the company’s coal output in 2019. Moranbah produced 6.15Mt while Grosvenor produced 4.7Mt in 2019.
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3rd Jun 11:24 AM AEST
Cynata (ASX:CYP) strikes a deal with TekCyte
Cynata Therapeutics Limited (ASX:CYP) shared on 3 June 2021 that it has struck a worldwide exclusive licence deal with Tekcyte Pty Ltd in respect of TekCyte’s wound dressing technology.
As per the ASX announcement, TekCyte’s technology will be used in Cynata’s planned clinical trial in diabetic foot ulcers.
Preclinical research and studies using TekCyte’s dressing to apply Cymerus MSCs to the wound have showed positive outcomes.
Cynata now plans to undertake a clinical trial of its Cymerus MSC product in patients utilising the TekCyte technology.
Meanwhile, the stock CYP was trading at AU$0.570 per share at 11:00 AM AEST.
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3rd Jun 11:23 AM AEST
Hawkstone Mining (ASX:HWK) gains on gold and gold-copper projects spin-out in U.S.
Shares of Hawkstone Mining (ASX:HWK) soared as much as 32.1% to AU$0.037, their biggest intraday percentage gain since 24 March 2021.
The Lithium and gold explorer informed the Company will spin-out its gold and gold-copper projects in the U.S. to form a separate listed company, Diablo Resources Limited.
Hawkstone also stated that it will now be a dedicated lithium company with its focus on the Big Sandy Lithium Project in Arizona.
HWK informed that as part of the spin-out, Hawkstone will receive 40 million vendor shares.
Also, the Company announced to change its name to Arizona Lithium Limited.
More than 42 million shares got traded as compared to the 30-day average volume of 8.7 million shares.
The stock has risen more than three-fold this year, as of the last close and was trading 14.285% higher at AU$0.032 per share at 11:09 AM AEST.
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3rd Jun 11:12 AM AEST
ASX-listed Sezzle (ASX:SZL) sizzles on BNPL partnership with Target
U.S.-based Sezzle Inc (ASX:SZL) has climbed as much as 14.5% to AU$8.590, marking its biggest intraday percentage gain since 27 Aug 2021.
The Company stated that it has entered into a three-year agreement with U.S.-based retailer Target Corp.
SZL said its buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) product will be available to Target's in-store and digital customers, allowing them make interest-free payments.
The stock has hit its highest since 10 May 2021 and is the top percentage gainer in ASX All Ordinaries AORD index.
SZL is up 21.6% this year so far, as of the last close and was spotted trading 12.666% up at AU$8.450 per share ta 11:00 AM AEST.
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3rd Jun 11:12 AM AEST
Telix (ASX:TLX) and Eckert & Ziegler sign promotion deal for prostate cancer imaging
Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX:TLX) announced on 3 June 2021 that it has entered into a co-promotion agreement in the United States with Berlin-based Eckert & Ziegler Strahlen und Medizintechnik AG (EZAG) for the combination of EZAG’s GalliaPharm® (gallium-68 generator) and Telix’s investigational prostate cancer imaging product Illuccix®.
As per the agreement, Telix and EZAG will expand their existing collaboration to further develop access to Ga-68 supply in the United States. The parties will co-promote Illuccix® and GalliaPharm® to ensure healthcare providers nationwide have secure access to Illuccix® and Ga-68 generators.
The stock TLX traded at AU$4.430 per share at 10:50 AM AEST.
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3rd Jun 10:59 AM AEST
Helix Resources (ASX:HLX): New EM conductors confirm growth potential of Canbelego Copper Mineralisation
Helix Resources Limited (ASX:HLX) announced via ASX that DHEM in all three diamond drillholes has recently been finished and has confirmed potential high-grade massive copper sulphide targets comprising discrete steeply plunging shoots.
Also, Surface moving loop electro-magnetic (MLEM) surveys are currently in progress to refine the airborne (VTEM) EM anomalies.
Helix Resources traded 5.714% higher at AU$0.037 per share at 10:40 AM AEST.
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3rd Jun 10:42 AM AEST
Immutep (ASX:IMM) granted European patent for its LAG-3 candidate Efti
Immutep Limited (ASX IMM) has announced on 2 June 2021, the grant of patent entitled “Combined Preparations for the Treatment of Cancer” by the European Patent Office.
Meanwhile, the stock IMM was spotted trading at AU$0.675 per share, down 2.878% at 10:15 AM AEST.
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3rd Jun 10:29 AM AEST
Environmental Clean Technology (ASX:ECT) signs coal supply agreement with EnergyAustralia
Environmental Clean Technology Limited (ASX:ECT) provided an update on a wide range of activities on 3 June 2021.
The Company announced it has signed a five-year coal supply agreement with EnergyAustralia.
ECT also stated that it will be funding recommissioning of lignite delivery infrastructure.
Key highlights of the coal supply agreement:
- ECT has struck a deal with EnergyAustralia, owner of Yallourn Power Station, for the supply of lignite to the Company’s Coldry-enabled char project.
- The agreement is for five years and features the repair and recommissioning of the outfeed delivery system at Yallourn.
- The cost to conduct this activity is around AU$450,000.
Meanwhile, the stock ECT traded last at AU$0.001 per share.
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3rd Jun 09:49 AM AEST
People Infrastructure (ASX:PPE) to acquire shares in Techforce and Vision Surveys
People Infrastructure Ltd (ASX:PPE) has announced that it has struck a deal with Techforce Personnel Pty Limited and Vision Surveys Pty Ltd. PPE will be acquiring shares in these businesses which will in return provide boost to the current industrial and specialist service business of PPE.
People Infrastructure will acquire 79.3% of the shares in Techforce Personnel and PPE have valued their 79.3% shareholding on a debt free basis at AU$23.8 million.
Techforce Personnel is expected to contribute AU$5.8 million in EBITDA to People Infrastructure in FY22.
People Infrastructure will also be purchasing 75% of the shares in Visions Surveys (Qld). The business is likely to contribute AU$2.4 million in EBITDA in FY22.
Meanwhile, the stock traded last at AU$4.600 per share.
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3rd Jun 09:27 AM AEST
Jefferies acclaims Worley's (ASX:WOR) push into sustainability sectors, sees improving market
Financial research firm Jefferies is upbeat on Worley Ltd's (ASX:WOR) push into sustainability sectors and sees improving cyclical indicators for engineering services provider.
According to the Refinitiv data, The brokerage has raised the stock’s price target to AU$12.4 from AU$12.1 and has rated it "buy".
It added that opportunities in "sustainability pathways" like in decarbonisation and environmental projects” is expected to build up to trillions of dollars pa (per annum) over the coming decades".
Jefferies stated that Sustainability type contracts currently account for around 45% of (Worley's) adjusted sales pipeline, the vast majority of which are with the group's existing customer base. This pivot makes perfect sense.
The brokerage also said that Company’s forecast that second half of fiscal 2021 would be better than the first half "suggest that key markets are past their trough".
5 of 11 analysts rate the stock "buy" or higher, 4 "hold" and 2 "sell"; their median PT is AU$11.7, as per the Refinitiv data.
While the stock has risen 9.6% this year, as of the last close, it’s last traded price was AU$11.190 per share.
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3rd Jun 09:19 AM AEST
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3rd Jun 08:40 AM AEST
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3rd Jun 08:32 AM AEST