Broad Gains Across Asia as Markets Rebound from Previous Losses

Highlights:

• ASX lifts sharply with all sectors closing higher, rebounding from prior session declines

• Nikkei records strong movement as markets respond to tariff rhetoric

• Resource and tech firms lead gains, while a few small caps register significant intra-day swings

Equities across Asia displayed strong momentum as broader markets rebounded from earlier declines. The ASX 200 closed firmly higher, reversing a sharp drop from the previous session. Energy and technology stocks were among the strongest performing sectors, reflecting renewed momentum in key export-linked segments.

Japan’s Nikkei also advanced significantly, marking one of its strongest single-day moves in recent weeks. This movement came despite lingering concerns about trade tensions between major global economies. Comments from Chinese officials described tariff escalation as a miscalculation, briefly supporting sentiment in early trading across Asian indices, including the Shanghai Composite and Hang Seng.

In contrast to broader gains, some volatility persisted in select Hong Kong-listed names, limiting the Hang Seng’s net advance. Shanghai’s performance remained more measured, with a modest improvement driven by state-linked announcements focused on economic resilience and industrial recovery.

Sector Highlights on the ASX

All eleven industry groups on the Australian exchange posted gains by market close. Leading the charge were technology names and energy companies, many of which rebounded strongly after suffering prior session losses.

Whitehaven Coal (ASX:WHC) and Block Inc (ASX:SQ2) showed notable upward momentum, closing the session significantly higher. Other gainers included Life360 (ASX:360) and Telix Pharmaceuticals (ASX:TLX), with both companies rebounding from earlier week losses triggered by geopolitical concerns.

However, not all names participated in the recovery. HMC Capital (ASX:HMC), categorized as an alternative investment firm, extended its recent slide. The company’s shares remained under pressure amid broader uncertainty around non-traditional financial sector valuations.

Small Cap Leaders and Activity

Several small caps demonstrated significant intraday moves. Leeuwin Metals (ASX:LM1) posted one of the highest gains after releasing historical drilling assessments at the Marda gold project. The results highlighted high-grade mineralisation outside previously mined areas, with multiple targets now set for further exploration.

Empire Resources (ASX:ERL) delivered promising results from its Yuinmery copper-gold site in Western Australia. Recent drilling extended known mineralised zones and confirmed new intercepts with elevated copper and gold concentrations.

MTM Critical Metals (ASX:MTM) announced a breakthrough in the recovery of high-grade metals from electronic waste. The company’s use of Flash Joule Heating technology enabled significant recovery rates for a range of metals including gold and silver. A new supply agreement with a major US-based recycler was also disclosed.

Other active small caps included Celsius Resources (ASX:CLA), which disclosed regulatory developments concerning its copper-gold project in the Philippines, and CGN Resources (ASX:CGR), which began field preparations for its multi-target drilling campaign at the Webb Project.

Small Cap Decliners

Despite broad strength, a number of small-cap names recorded sharp pullbacks. Stocks such as Avenira Limited (ASX:AEV), Cann Group Ltd (ASX:CAN), and Carbine Resources (ASX:CRB) led the laggards, each declining on relatively thin volumes.

Additional activity included weaker movements in names like Eden Inv Ltd (ASX:EDE), Dateline Resources (ASX:DTR), and Spenda Limited (ASX:SPX), which each faced selling pressure amid ongoing sector rebalancing.

Exploration and Resource Updates

Pursuit Minerals (ASX:PUR) reported first lithium carbonate output from its pilot facility in Argentina, achieving high-purity production metrics. Hillgrove Resources (ASX:HGO) posted a production record at its South Australian site, while Greenvale Energy (ASX:GRV) achieved a quality milestone in asphalt production at its Alpha project.

Drilling programs by Lanthanein Resources (ASX:LNR) and Strata Minerals (ASX:SMX) also contributed to exploration-focused updates, with ongoing work across sites in Western Australia expected to drive further news flow in the coming weeks.