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8^th Sep 07:31 PM AEST

EcoGraf (ASX:EGR) signs MoU with FYI Resources

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The ASX-listed battery graphite producer company EcoGraf Limited (ASX:EGR) announced that it has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FYI Resources Limited to develop improved High Purity Alumina (HPA) doped carbon coatings material for the lithium-ion battery market.

The preliminary research has portrayed that HPA-doped carbon coatings improve battery anode performance by minimising first cycle losses during battery charging cycles. It happens through improvement in protective layering. The Company has mentioned that the collaboration will also incorporate evaluation of HPA and graphite composites for new battery technologies and materials in clean energy applications.

Meanwhile, on the ASX, the EGR stock closed at AU$0.885 per share.

8^th Sep 07:30 PM AEST

Ainsworth (ASX:AGI) appoints new CEO, stock closes higher

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The ASX-listed gaming technology company, Ainsworth Game Technology Limited (ASX:AGI), announced that the Company had appointed Lawrence Levy as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective from Friday 10 September 2021.

The Company has also shared that it has agreed with Harald Neumann that he will be appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer commencing 1 October 2021.

Neumann’s appointment in the role depends upon the regulatory approvals and the completion of contractual details. However, Neumanns’ remuneration terms are expected to be similar to Levy’s.

Neumann has been a part of AGI as its director since February 2017. He will remain a director of the Company at present, albeit from 1 October in an executive capacity.

Meanwhile, on the ASX, the AGI stock closed 9.677% higher at AU$1.19 per share.

8^th Sep 07:20 PM AEST

Greenwing (ASX:GW1) completes the first tranche of equity rising

The ASX-listed mineral exploration company, Greenwing Resources Ltd (ASX:GW1) shared that the Company has completed the first tranche of an AU$6.15 million equity raising.

Greenwing shared:

It has raised AU$4.63 million from a placement to professional and sophisticated investors.
The Company has received commitments for about AU$1.52 million for a conditional placement from professional and sophisticated investors and directors.
GW1 has also shared the offer price for the new ordinary shares issued under the equity raising is AU$0.24 per share.
Greenwing will issue about 25.625 million new shares under the Placement and Conditional Placement.

On the ASX, GW1 stock closed 14.516% higher at AU$0.355 per share.

8^th Sep 05:48 PM AEST

8^th Sep 05:40 PM AEST

Burgundy (ASX:BDM) completes its first third-party rough diamond purchase

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Burgundy Diamond Mines Limited (ASX:BDM) announced that the Company had made its first purchase of third-party rough diamonds in its development towards downstream diamond marketing activities.

As published in the ASX announcement of 29 June 2021, Burgundy has recently acquired the capability to cut and polish Fancy Colour diamonds in a secure purpose-built facility in Perth, Western Australia.

This has enabled the in-house creation of Fancy Colour polished products from BDM’s planned operations at the Ellendale Diamond Project and other potential Burgundy operations, such as the Naujaat Project in Nunavut, Canada.

BDM believes that it can soon roll out with fancy colour polished products and anticipates earning a significant chunk of revenue out of it. It can soon pay its shareholders and investors as promised from the capital raised.

Meanwhile, on the ASX, the BDM stock closed, trading 7.018% lower at AU$0.265 per share.

8^th Sep 05:02 PM AEST

YPB (ASX:YPB) gets first paid commercial trial; share price skyrocket by 50%

The share price of ASX-listed Company from the industrial sector, YPB Group Limited (ASX:YPB) closed 50% higher on Wednesday. The Company shared it has secured its first paid commercial trial of MotifMicro with the ANZ packaging supplier OpalANZ through its Specialty Packing Group Pty Ltd.

MotifMicro is an innovative forensic anti-counterfeit solution developed by YPB. It can be read using an unmodified smartphone. As a result, it can make ultra-secure anti-counterfeit solutions widely available in mass markets for the first time.

The paid trial will be followed the global marketing launch on 28 April 2021 of MotifMicro. It is targeted to ultra-high-volume suppliers to FMCG manufacturers and Governments in critical geographies.
YPB closed at AU$0.003 per share on the ASX.

8^th Sep 04:56 PM AEST

Imricor (ASX:IMR) closed 25% strong today. Here’s why

The ASX-listed company from the healthcare sector, Imricor Medical Systems Inc. (ASX:IMR) announced that the Company had completed the book building for an institutional placement to raise AU$16.5 million at AU$1.00 per CHESS Depositary Interest.

About the Placement:

According to the announcement, 16.5 million CDIs are anticipated to be issued under the Placement from the Company’s existing placement capacity.
The Company has shared the placement price of AU$1.00 per CDI, representing a 3.4% discount to the last close price of AU$1.035 on 6 September 2021.
IMR has revealed that it will use the funds raised from the Placement to support its pipeline product development, support clinical and regulatory costs, fund sales and marketing initiatives and provide working capital support.

Backed by the same, the IMR stock closed 25.603% higher at AU$1.300 per share today.

8^th Sep 04:43 PM AEST

Delorean (ASX:DEL) collaborates with Australian Gas Networks

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Delorean Corporation Limited (ASX:DEL) announced that the Company had signed a landmark collaboration agreement with the Australian Gas Networks Limited.

The parent company of Australian Gas Networks Limited, Australian Gas Infrastructure Group, is one of Australia's largest gas infrastructure businesses. It operates across every mainland state and the Northern Territory with a 2 million customer base.

About the collaboration:

According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), DEL and AGIG will collaborate and work jointly to own, construct, develop, and operate anaerobic digestion plants to supply biomethane into AGIG gas networks, including offtake of biomethane.

This agreement with AGIG has stretched the existing relationship with DEL that has turned into a collaboration. As a result, DEL expects to witness its biomethane injected into AGIG's gas networks across Australia for use by residences and businesses.

Meanwhile, on the ASX, the DEL stock closed 4.348% lower at AU$0.220 per share today.

8^th Sep 03:13 PM AEST

Thomson Resources (ASX:TMZ) reports encouraging results from Silver Spur project

ASX-listed mineral exploration Company Thomson Resources Limited (ASX:TMZ) revealed via an announcement encouraging results from initial metallurgical test undertaken on the Silver Spur project, the acquisition of which is nearing completion.

Some of the key results obtained from the metallurgical test are:

Rougher stage float test delivering good recoveries and grade in concentrate of silver, zinc, lead and copper.
High grade Ag Zn (Pb Cu) mineralisation was evident in historic drilling at the Silver Spur mine confirm that a significant body of sulphide mineralisation remains.
Mineralised shoots remain open and untested below the deepest drill intersection to date of 200 m below surface.
Compositing of historic drilling highlights Silver Spur mineralisation contains significant silver and zinc with lesser lead and copper with significant intersections.

The announcement also declared that relogging of historic drilling, Database compilation and validation are nearing completion. In addition, the 3D modelling of the historic mining void and geology is advancing in preparation for calculation of an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for Silver Spur.

The Company said that recent studies of the Silver Spur Deposit by Thomson’s geoscience consultants Global Ore Discovery (Global Ore), demonstrate that the mineralisation is epigenetic hosted in a chlorite – sericite alteration that forms a mineral foliation suggesting mineralisation formed during a regional deformation event. The sulphide mineralisation is developed as a series of breccias, veins and semi-massive sulphide lenses that are dominated by low iron honey-coloured sphalerite with later pulses galena, chalcopyrite and silver bearing Tetrahedrite.

TMZ stock was spotted trading 6.819% down at AU$0.102 per share at 3:00 PM AEST.

8^th Sep 02:29 PM AEST

Pentanet (ASX:5GG) rolls out cloud gaming infrastructure in Australia

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The ASX-listed telecommunication company Pentanet Limited (ASX:5GG) has announced that it has achieved the milestone to roll out the GeForce NOW cloud gaming infrastructure in Australia.

The initial GeForce NOW RTX servers have been fully installed in Perth and Sydney. The installation has been done with the first Internal Beta cloud gaming sessions for GeForce NOW in Australia from the Perth infrastructure.

The internal beta program will witness Pentanet perform preliminary platform tests and begin measuring the performance of local infrastructure. The Beta Play stage will remain on track to commence in September, with a national commercial launch on track for October 2021. Pricing for GeForce NOW in Australia will be announced in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, on the ASX, the 5GG stock was trading a tad higher at AU$0.610 per share at 2:20 PM AEST.

8^th Sep 02:28 PM AEST

Why are Global Energy (ASX:GEV) shares trading 18% higher today?

The share price of ASX-listed oil and gas company Global Energy Ventures Ltd (ASX:GEV) soared up to 18% to trade at AU$0.085 per share at 2:00 PM AEST.

The Company shared today that it has successfully secured a funding support to evaluate the technical and commercial feasibility of exporting green hydrogen from the Gascoyne to Asia-Pacific utilising its compressed hydrogen shipping solution.

The grant is up to AU$300,000 excluding GST, the release stated.

Key highlights:

The announcement has stated that the WA Government will make the benefits of funding under the WA Renewable Hydrogen Fund Round 2.
GEV’s funding will be applied to the Feasibility Study for the HyEnergy Project located in the Gascoyne region of WA.
GEV has also stated that it has received validation from the WA Government of its compressed shipping solution and its ability to unlock the potential of green hydrogen exports.

8^th Sep 02:08 PM AEST

ECS Botanics (ASX:ECS) secures a supply agreement with Canngea

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The ASX-listed company from the Hemp market, ECS Botanics Holdings Ltd (ASX:ECS) announced that it has secured a one-year supply agreement with the Australian cannabis company, Canngea Pty Ltd. The agreement would help ECS generate a revenue of at least AU$410,000 and help it grow its revenue profile.

Canngea is an Australian cannabis company established in 2017. It focuses on the distribution of a range of solutions to the international and domestic markets.

As per the agreement and though ECS’ existing Murray Meds license, the Company will supply Canngea with a minimum of AU$410,000 in GMP manufactured medicinal cannabis products per year, including dry flower and oils. ECS expects its first shipment to dispatch in October this year.

Meanwhile, on the ASX, the ECS stock was trading 5.882% higher at AU$0.036 per share at 2:00 PM AEST.

8^th Sep 01:20 PM AEST

IPH (ASX:IPH) members Shelston IP and Spruson & Ferguson to become one

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Intellectual property service group IPH Limited (ASX:IPH) shared that two of its member firms, Shelston IP and Spruson & Ferguson Australia, will combine as one firm and work under its Spruson & Ferguson brand.

The combination seeks to extend Spruson & Ferguson’s position as a prominent IP firm in Australia. IPH MD and CEO Andrew Blattman believes the integration will result in the enhancement of operational efficiencies. It shall, according to him, provide benefits to the individual firms’ clients and people as part of a larger entity.

Both the firms complement each other in terms of experience, service offering and quality of client mix, as per the release. In addition, the integration will provide their clients larger and easy access into the Asia Pacific region with the leading IPH network.

The integrated firm will be managed and led by David Kennedy, the recent Spruson & Ferguson Managing Director. David, in his career, has led and established IP businesses, Europe, Asia and Australia.

IPH will assess the financial impact of the combined entity on FY22 and provide an update at its AGM in November 2021. Operations as one brand will begin from 1 November 2021, and the Shelston IP brand will be retired.

Meanwhile, IPH shares traded a tad lower at AU$9.350 per share at 1:00 PM AEST.

8^th Sep 12:59 PM AEST

Microsoft takes over Brisbane based video-editing startup Clipchamp

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Microsoft, on Tuesday, announced the acquisition of Aussie startup Clipchamp. The Brisbane-based startup owns a video-editing app that currently has over 17 million registered users, with over 390,000 companies.

Clipchamp's app is Windows-based but also provides users, ability to draw on online computing resources. Its technology aligns with Microsoft's Office 365 bundle and widens its productivity software offerings for individuals and corporate users. Big names like Deloitte, Google, Microsoft, and Zendesk are claimed on Clipchamp's website as user companies.

While announcing an upcoming price increase for its Office 365 subscriptions in August, Microsoft had pointed to additions in the bundle, including the Teams communication app. In addition, Microsoft has previously shown interest in adding TikTok's US operations. Its interest in videos has also added education-oriented video startup Flipgrid to its portfolio. The Clipchamp acquisition raises the possibility of Microsoft increasing competition to knock off other video editing softwares.

The announcement is in three weeks post-Adobe's acquisition of Frame.io, which allows users to comment on videos while editing. The adobe deal was over a billion dollars. However, Microsoft has not disclosed any details related to the Clipchamp acquisition.

8^th Sep 12:42 PM AEST

Aussie Broadband (ASX:ABB) completes A$114 million placement, seeks M&A growth

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Telecom service provider Aussie Broadband Limited (ASX:ABB) has completed its AU$114 million institutional placement. It claims to have received strong support from new and existing institutional, sophisticated and professional investors for the placement.

The placement shares will be allotted and issued on Wednesday, 15 September 2021. ABB will rank them equally with its existing ordinary shares. These shares will represent around 15% of the issued capital before the placement and issued under its existing placement capacity.

ABB will use these proceeds to support growth, primarily from Mergers and Acquisitions, new business products, technology development, and additions to its fiber and network build.

It will also give eligible shareholders a chance to be part of a share purchase plan (SPP) for capital raising to AU$10 million. ABB will offer new shares at AU$4 for the share purchase plan i.e., at the same price as the placement.

Meanwhile, ABB shares traded at AU$4.525 per share, down 2.3% at 12:30 PM AEST.

8^th Sep 12:42 PM AEST

8^th Sep 11:58 AM AEST

Oil slips on demand concerns in the US and Asia

Crude Oil Price Fall Down with Refinery Plant and Currency | Source: © Beinluck | Megapixl.com

Crude oil prices tumbled on Tuesday over the concerns of weak demand in the US and Asian markets. The prices were additionally pressurized by a strong US dollar. November delivery Brent Crude oil futures last traded at US$71.75 per barrel up 0.24%, whereas October delivery WTI crude oil futures traded 0.35% up at US$68.71 per barrel as of 08 September 2021 at 10:33 AM AEST.

Saudi Arabia has decided to cut the prices of all grades of crude oil to Asian markets by at least US$1 per barrel due to subdued demand amid rising cases of Delta variant of coronavirus. However, oil got significant support from continued supply disruptions in the US due to Hurricane Ida and robust Chinese economic indicators.

8^th Sep 11:57 AM AEST

China coal futures hit record highs on strong electricity demand

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Coal prices in China have climbed to record-high levels despite a check from the government towards the use of coal in power plants to reduce greenhouse emissions. On Tuesday, the most traded thermal coal futures on the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange hit US$150 per tonne, significantly up from the previous year's prices of US$85 per tonne.

The skyrocketing prices of coal are an indication of the clash between China's rising electricity demand and the government's push to increase reliance on renewables. As per the data from the National Bureau of Statistics, the coal production in 2021 was up at a compound annual rate of 4.1% relative to the previous corresponding period.

8^th Sep 11:48 AM AEST

Strategic Energy Resources (ASX:SER) raises AU$1.32 million via Placement

Strategic Energy Resources Limited (ASX:SER) shared today that it has received firm commitments to raise AU$1,320,000 by way of a Share Placement of 30,000,000 fully paid ordinary shares at AU$0.044 (4.4 cents) per share.

The Placement was oversubscribed. In response to strong demand, scalebacks were applied to all parties. The Company stated it is excited to welcome approximately 50 new and existing investors that supported the raise.

The 30,000,000 Shares will be issued within the Company’s existing 15% placement capacity.

The Directors have supported the Placement and will subscribe for 2.375 million Shares totalling AU$104,500.

The funds raised from this Placement will be used to drill the Achilles 1 prospect at South Cobar, the Lorraine North prospect at Isa North as well as working capital.

The stock SER was trading 4% higher at AU$0.052 per share at 11:40 AM AEST.

8^th Sep 11:34 AM AEST

ASX 200 trades lower; gold miners and energy shares lead fall

On Wednesday, Australian shares are trading in negative territory, as the broader market is being dragged by the country's gold and energy sectors on the back of weaker commodity prices. By lunchtime, the ASX 200 was trading 0.44% or 32.8 points down to 7,497.5. The ASX All Ordinaries index also shed almost 30 points to trader below the 7800-mark, at 7,796.6.

Frontline shares that are leading the fall in today’s session are Redbubble Limited (ASX:RBL) and St Barbara Limited (ASX:SBM), falling 4.12% and 4.01%, respectively. Another gold miner in the list is Perseus Mining Limited (ASX:PRU), losing 3.44% by mid-day.

Coming to the sectoral view, investors haven’t spared a single sector and all 11 sectors are witnessing selling pressure. The Real estate sector is losing the most with a 1.2% fall, followed by Consumer Staples and Materials sector, shedding 1% and 1.12%, respectively.

CIMIC Group (ASX:CIM) companies Broad Construction, UGL and Leighton Asia have been awarded contracts that are expected to generate an additional revenue of AU$145 million. All the projects under the new contracts are expected to be completed in 2022.

8^th Sep 11:19 AM AEST

8^th Sep 10:49 AM AEST

8^th Sep 10:34 AM AEST

NRW Holdings’ (ASX:NWH) unit Primero awarded Covalent Mt Holland EPC

Contract service and infrastructure giant, NRW Holdings Limited (ASX:NWH) shared today that its wholly owned subsidiary Primero Group has been awarded a material contract for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) of the Mt Holland Concentrator project for Covalent Lithium.

Covalent Lithium is a joint venture between Wesfarmers and SQM.

As per the release, Primero has been awarded the EPC contract that will process ‘run of mine’ ore at a rate of circa 2mtpa and produce an output of circa 400,000 tpa of spodumene concentrate to feed the Company’s integrated Lithium Hydroxide conversion refinery situated at Kwinana.

The Mt Holland project has been worked on in various development phases over the past 18 months between the Covalent and Primero teams.

The project scope covers the vertical delivery of engineering design of all disciplines, procurement of all equipment and materials, site construction, commissioning, and performance testing of the spodumene concentrator at the Mt Holland site located in Western Australia.

The full execution will start immediately with site works planned to start in October.

The stock NWH traded last at AU$1.815 per share on the ASX.

8^th Sep 10:21 AM AEST

8^th Sep 10:16 AM AEST

ASX 200 falls after Wall Street ends mixed on economic outlook concerns

A day after Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) tapered bond purchases, the Australian share market opened lower on Wednesday. The ASX 200 opened the day 9.90 points or 0.13% lower at 7,520.40 after Wall Street ended mixed overnight amid concerns about the US economic outlook. On Tuesday, the Australian benchmark index closed slightly up at 7,530.3 points.

Domestic investors would keep an eye on labour data which is scheduled to be released on Wednesday. A few ASX-listed shares going ex-dividend on Wednesday include Blackmores, Brambles, Medibank Private and SEEK. On Tuesday, the benchmark index rose slightly to 7,530.3 points.

In terms of commodities, gold and oil prices slipped, while iron ore rebounded. Thus, domestic equities may be pulled down during the day by gold and energy sectors due to muted commodity prices.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones fell 0.75%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.35%, and the NASDAQ edged 0.05% higher. US stock and bond markets were closed on Monday due to Labour Day public holiday.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin also tumbled 17% to its lowest level in a month as El Salvador’s crypto launched started on a rocky note.

Newsmakers

Macquarie Group (ASX:MQG) said that it expects its performance in the first half of FY22 to be slightly weaker than the second half of 2021.

CIMIC Group (ASX:CIM) companies Leighton Asia, UGL and Broad Construction have been awarded contracts of nearly AU$145 million.

NRW Holdings (ASX:NWH) said that its subsidiary, Primero Group, has bagged an engineering, procurement and construction contract for the Mt Holland Concentrator project for Covalent Lithium.

Westgold Resources (ASX:WGX) said that it was on track to achieve its production guidance despite COVID-19 related challenges during August.
Centuria Capital (ASX:CNI) announced acquisition of an office building in Port Adelaide, South Australia, for AU$62.75 million.

8^th Sep 09:37 AM AEST

ASX 200 to fall after global shares retreat from record highs

The Australian shares are set to fall on Wednesday after Wall Street ended mixed and global equities retreated from record highs overnight on concerns of sluggish economic recovery and hopes that Federal Reserve might delay tapering its debt purchases. The ASX 200 would open the day 20 points or 0.3% lower, pulled down by gold and energy sectors due to muted commodity prices.

On Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) announced its plans to start reducing the bond-buying stimulus to AU$4 billion a week despite coronavirus lockdowns hurting the economy.

A few ASX-listed shares going ex-dividend on Wednesday include Blackmores, Brambles, Medibank Private and SEEK.

Meanwhile, the Dow Jones fell 0.75%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.35%, and the NASDAQ edged 0.05% higher. US stock and bond markets were closed on Monday due to Labour Day public holiday.

After the surprisingly soft US payrolls report last Friday, speeches by US policymakers later this week would be closely tracked for any hints about how the weak jobs report impacted the Fed's plans on bond purchase taper.

US government bond yields surged following the jobs report and ahead of a busy week of Treasury auctions. The yield on 10-year Treasury notes was up 4.8 basis points to 1.377% after hitting a high on 1.370%.

The US dollar climbed 0.4% against a basket of other major currencies.

8^th Sep 03:09 AM AEST

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