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Closing Bell: ASX closes week higher as Appen, Novonix race ahead
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- ASX rallies on commodity boost
- BrainChip and DroneShield lead the charge
- 2025 market volatility looms with key risks
The ASX came back swinging after a short Christmas break, riding high on a bump in commodity prices.
At the close of Friday, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index had added 0.50%, and was up about 1.15% for the week.
Ten out of 11 sectors were in the green today, where discretionary and healthcare were the top two standouts.
Goldies also pushed higher, supported by higher gold prices as investors seek safety amidst the unknown.
One of the best performers today was BrainChip Holdings (ASX:BRN), which rose by over 17% on no specific news.
DroneShield (ASX:DRO) skyrocketed by 15% after fund manager Vanguard took a 5.5% stake in the company.
Appen (ASX:APX) was also in the mix, up by 13% on no specific news. Batteries tech companuy Novonix (ASX:NVX), meanwhile, rose by 13%, also on no announcements.
Looking ahead to 2025, many experts believe the market’s volatility is still a big question mark.
From US inflation concerns, to domestic interest rates, to China’s tariffs, there’s plenty to keep investors on their toes.
“While pullbacks are natural in any market cycle, several upcoming catalysts could maintain market optimism in the medium term,” said OKX’s Lennix Lai.
“Traders should remain mindful that the path to institutional adoption and policy reform will likely be gradual rather than immediate, even with potential changes in the US administration come 2025.”
ASX SMALL CAP LEADERS
Today’s best performing small cap stocks:
| Security | Description | Last | % | Volume | MktCap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAU | First Au Ltd | 0.002 | 33% | 1,300,000 | $3,107,990 |
| ABX | ABX Group Limited | 0.041 | 28% | 208,391 | $8,009,390 |
| ADG | Adelong Gold Limited | 0.005 | 25% | 719,414 | $4,471,956 |
| AYT | Austin Metals Ltd | 0.005 | 25% | 198,008 | $5,296,765 |
| CRB | Carbine Resources | 0.005 | 25% | 250,000 | $2,206,951 |
| EVR | Ev Resources Ltd | 0.003 | 25% | 32,777 | $3,625,007 |
| WBE | Whitebark Energy | 0.010 | 25% | 842,631 | $2,018,668 |
| MTM | MTM Critical Metals | 0.230 | 24% | 13,309,123 | $75,222,624 |
| RR1 | Reach Resources Ltd | 0.008 | 23% | 1,706,237 | $5,683,804 |
| GCM | Green Critical Min | 0.011 | 22% | 87,361,097 | $17,167,980 |
| TVN | Tivan Limited | 0.110 | 22% | 8,902,280 | $171,896,683 |
| VR1 | Vection Technologies | 0.034 | 21% | 8,449,912 | $37,813,464 |
| AXE | Archer Materials | 0.505 | 20% | 1,672,330 | $107,035,745 |
| RMI | Resource Mining Corp | 0.006 | 20% | 50,000 | $3,261,739 |
| BRN | Brainchip Ltd | 0.375 | 19% | 38,751,860 | $621,327,412 |
| KM1 | Kalimetalslimited | 0.125 | 19% | 391,948 | $8,066,901 |
| SNT | Syntara Limited | 0.079 | 18% | 7,584,253 | $105,800,568 |
| ARN | Aldoro Resources | 0.350 | 17% | 758,311 | $40,387,123 |
| ATH | Alterity Therap Ltd | 0.007 | 17% | 79,213,899 | $31,922,017 |
| BCB | Bowen Coal Limited | 0.007 | 17% | 36,297,163 | $64,650,195 |
| CCO | The Calmer Co Int | 0.007 | 17% | 22,676 | $15,245,117 |
Tivan (ASX:TVN) surged after the chairman’s update, which reiterated its key partnership with Sumitomo Corporation and confirmation that the Speewah Fluorite Project is fully funded. The announcement, combined with the progress at Sandover and a strong balance sheet, sparked investor confidence that Tivan is on track for growth in the critical minerals sector.
Bowen Coking Coal (ASX:BCB) hit a quarterly sales record of 544Kt, up 31% from the previous quarter. Coal production stayed strong, with the Burton Mine pumping out 544Kt of Run-of-Mine coal, slightly above target. The company also said it’s made progress at the Plumtree North mine, ahead of schedule, and enjoyed strong efficiency at its coal handling and preparation plant.
ASX SMALL CAP LAGGARDS
Today’s worst performing small cap stocks:
| Code | Name | Price | % Change | Volume | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8VI | 8Vi Holdings Limited | 0.012 | -60% | 34,192 | $1,257,343 |
| MKL | Mighty Kingdom Ltd | 0.020 | -56% | 181,033 | $9,722,853 |
| NTM | Nt Minerals Limited | 0.002 | -33% | 4,426 | $3,632,709 |
| VML | Vital Metals Limited | 0.002 | -33% | 454,910 | $17,685,201 |
| SRI | Sipa Resources Ltd | 0.013 | -28% | 2,181,888 | $4,106,846 |
| AMD | Arrow Minerals | 0.002 | -25% | 1,762,853 | $26,447,256 |
| EDE | Eden Inv Ltd | 0.002 | -25% | 8,317 | $8,219,752 |
| ERL | Empire Resources | 0.003 | -25% | 258,333 | $5,935,653 |
| NAE | New Age Exploration | 0.003 | -25% | 3,130,634 | $8,575,596 |
| TX3 | Trinex Minerals Ltd | 0.002 | -25% | 78,811 | $3,657,305 |
| VFX | Visionflex Group Ltd | 0.003 | -25% | 382,856 | $13,471,442 |
| RLG | Roolife Group Ltd | 0.004 | -20% | 15,000 | $5,980,156 |
| TEG | Triangle Energy Ltd | 0.004 | -20% | 2,682,701 | $10,446,170 |
| HE8 | Helios Energy Ltd | 0.009 | -18% | 1,175,940 | $28,644,544 |
| ERA | Energy Resources | 0.003 | -17% | 48,823,374 | $1,216,188,722 |
| LML | Lincoln Minerals | 0.005 | -17% | 426,008 | $12,337,557 |
| EME | Energy Metals Ltd | 0.081 | -16% | 30,000 | $20,339,281 |
| AXN | Alliance Nickel Ltd | 0.036 | -14% | 71,559 | $30,485,264 |
| ADN | Andromeda Metals Ltd | 0.006 | -14% | 3,496,762 | $24,001,094 |
| AJL | AJ Lucas Group | 0.006 | -14% | 14,000 | $9,630,107 |
| BP8 | Bph Global Ltd | 0.003 | -14% | 2,706,664 | $1,510,745 |
| SRN | Surefire Rescs NL | 0.003 | -14% | 2,300,000 | $7,232,077 |
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Drilling results from the Rio Negro prospect within Equinox Resources’ (ASX:EQN) Campo Grande project in Brazil have returned standout TREO grades, while also confirming the project’s multi-commodity potential. High-grade gallium and bauxite were also struck, with further results expected in late January or early February.
At Stockhead, we tell it like it is. While Equinox Resources is a Stockhead advertiser, it did not sponsor this article.
This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
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