Market Resilience as Industrials and Lithium Names Advance

June 27, 2025 12:53 PM AEST | By Team Kalkine Media

Google News:

Market Resilience as Industrials and Lithium Names Advance — Image source: Shutterstock

Recent News

ASX 200 Opens Higher as Argosy and Resource Stocks Rally

ASX 200 set for positive open as Wall Street optimism builds

Mining Stocks Lead Gains on Quiet ASX 200 Session

Nasdaq 100 Soars, ASX 200 Hovers Near Breakout on Fed Cut Hopes

Highlights

ASX 200 futures hint at a positive weekly finish

DroneShield and Neuren Pharmaceuticals impress with strong gains

Lithium sector shines as Vanguard’s stake boosts confidence

Despite some softness midweek, the Australian sharemarket is gearing up for a stronger weekly close. On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX:XJO) eased by 8.4 points to 8550.8, with seven of the eleven sectors ending lower. However, Friday’s futures pointed to a 0.5% rise, potentially tipping the week into positive territory.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBA) slipped 0.4% to $190.71 after briefly touching a record high, while National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB) also eased by 0.4% to $39.89. On the flip side, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX:ANZ) jumped 2.2% to $29.74, and Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX:WBC) edged up to $34.57.

Among the standout performers was DroneShield (ASX:DRO), surging 11.7% to $2.39. This comes after a significant European military contract announcement, adding to a nearly 20% gain from the prior session. Meanwhile, Neuren Pharmaceuticals (ASX:NEU) rallied 6.1% to $13.31 following US patent approval for its Pitt Hopkins syndrome treatment.

Humm Group (ASX:HUM) extended its momentum, rising 3.7% to 56 cents after confirming a takeover proposal. On the technology front, Xero (ASX:XRO) dropped 5.3% to $184.00 as it finalized a $1.85 billion capital raise for the acquisition of US-based Melio Payments Inc. This update reflects ongoing shifts within the ASX 200 landscape, impacting several key index constituents.

In the mining sector, BHP Group (ASX:BHP) nudged up to $36.12, Fortescue Metals (ASX:FMG) advanced to $14.93, and Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) dipped slightly to $104.19. Gold producers, however, faced pressure despite a modest lift in gold prices, with Northern Star Resources (ASX:NST) and Regis Resources (ASX:RRL) declining.

The lithium segment experienced renewed interest after Vanguard became a significant stakeholder in Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS), lifting its share price 5.6% to $1.32. This uptick also boosted peers, with Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN) up 3.6% to $20.90, Liontown Resources (ASX:LTR) gaining 2.9% to 70 cents, and IGO (ASX:IGO) rising 1.8% to $4.01.

In the US, major indices pushed higher, led by the Nasdaq and S&P 500 inching toward fresh records. Although the US GDP for Q1 contracted more than expected at an annualized 0.5%, a sharp rebound in factory orders provided a silver lining, reinforcing investor confidence as the quarter wraps.

Disclaimer

The content, including but not limited to any articles, news, quotes, information, data, text, reports, ratings, opinions, images, photos, graphics, graphs, charts, animations and video (Content) is a service of Kalkine Media Pty Ltd (Kalkine Media, we or us), ACN 629 651 672 and is available for personal and non-commercial use only. The principal purpose of the Content is to educate and inform. The Content does not contain or imply any recommendation or opinion intended to influence your financial decisions and must not be relied upon by you as such. Some of the Content on this website may be sponsored/non-sponsored, as applicable, but is NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold the stocks of the company(s) or engage in any investment activity under discussion. Kalkine Media is neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice through this platform. Users should make their own enquiries about any investments and Kalkine Media strongly suggests the users to seek advice from a financial adviser, stockbroker or other professional (including taxation and legal advice), as necessary. Kalkine Media hereby disclaims any and all the liabilities to any user for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential damages arising from any use of the Content on this website, which is provided without warranties. The views expressed in the Content by the guests, if any, are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Kalkine Media. Some of the images/music that may be used on this website are copyright to their respective owner(s). Kalkine Media does not claim ownership of any of the pictures displayed/music used on this website unless stated otherwise. The images/music that may be used on this website are taken from various sources on the internet, including paid subscriptions or are believed to be in public domain. We have used reasonable efforts to accredit the source wherever it was indicated as or found to be necessary.