Closing Bell: ASX jumps higher again, 4DMedical wins US FDA approval

ASX 200 lifts on tech rally, miners struggle
Barrick Gold threatens Mali shutdown over shipping restrictions
Bitcoin bounces back after recent slump

The ASX 200 index crept up 0.34% on Tuesday, thanks to a rally in tech following the Nasdaq’s overnight bounce.

But miners aren’t having the best time. Iron ore futures have dipped further, trading below US$98 a tonne today.

Fortescue (ASX:FMG) lost 4.5%, BHP (ASX:BHP) and Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) dipped by over 1%.

Utilities weren’t doing any better, either, with AGL Energy (ASX:AGL) slipping 1.5%.

But some good news, Capricorn Metals (ASX:CMM) rose 3% after reporting record gold production for the December quarter, producing 28,702 ounces of gold, up from 25,559 the previous quarter.

This is where things stood at 15:45 AEDT:

Elsewhere, there’s big drama out of West Africa. Canadian giant Barrick Gold has threatened to suspend operations in Mali if the country doesn’t lift restrictions on its gold shipments. Tensions are rising across the region as military governments renegotiate mining contracts.

And finally, Bitcoin’s making moves again, breaking US$100k and earlier touching US$102k after a choppy stretch in the nervous ’90s over the past few weeks.

ASX SMALL CAP LEADERS

Today’s best performing small cap stocks:

Security	Description	Last	%	Volume	MktCap
88E	88 Energy Ltd	0.002	100%	901,495	$28,933,812
RGT	Argent Biopharma Ltd	0.250	47%	163,485	$9,226,286
ICG	Inca Minerals Ltd	0.008	33%	8,676,176	$6,160,335
PPY	Papyrus Australia	0.015	25%	1,322,797	$6,624,544
ADD	Adavale Resource Ltd	0.003	25%	3,938,486	$3,081,664
CUL	Cullen Resources	0.005	25%	1,519,725	$2,773,607
MOH	Moho Resources	0.005	25%	873,000	$2,865,898
DXB	Dimerix Ltd	0.440	24%	6,584,843	$198,042,756
PIM	Pinnacleminerals	0.058	21%	40,000	$2,182,239
KKO	Kinetiko Energy Ltd	0.073	20%	83,004	$87,387,691
JAV	Javelin Minerals Ltd	0.004	17%	11,980	$18,065,874
VRC	Volt Resources Ltd	0.004	17%	484,750	$12,639,719
FGH	Foresta Group	0.008	14%	100,000	$18,403,831
PVT	Pivotal Metals Ltd	0.008	14%	30,006	$6,350,581
SKK	Stakk Limited	0.008	14%	463,000	$14,525,558
KZR	Kalamazoo Resources	0.083	14%	145,774	$14,839,700
SCN	Scorpion Minerals	0.017	13%	4,690	$6,141,843
SBW	Shekel Brainweigh	0.026	13%	54,822	$5,245,408
BML	Boab Metals Ltd	0.180	13%	1,439,820	$37,343,217
AEV	Avenira Limited	0.009	13%	150,000	$25,352,272

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4DMedical (ASX:4DX) has just scored a big win, getting US FDA approval for its AI-powered IQ-UIP diagnostic tool. The tech helps pinpoint Usual Interstitial Pneumonia (UIP), a key marker for Interstitial Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), a serious lung condition. The IPF treatment market is set to grow from US$4 billion to nearly US$8 billion in the next decade, said 4DX. Shares rose 19%.

Meanwhile, clinical-stage biotech Dimerix (ASX:DXB) has partnered with Japan’s Fuso Pharmaceutical Industries to develop and commercialise DMX-200 for the treatment of FSGS kidney disease. The deal, valued at over $100 million, will see Fuso lead development costs, regulatory approval, and sales and marketing efforts in Japan.

Argent Biopharma (ASX:RGT) has successfully raised US$4.5 million by issuing 11.25 million shares at US$0.40 each, with one free warrant for every two shares. The funds will support the development of CannEpil and other treatments, while the company plans a US listing after its LSE delisting.

Smart sensors tech company Shekel Brainweigh (ASX:SBW) ended 2024 with a bang, reporting a record Q4 revenue of US$7.65m – up 27% from the previous year. Retail tech sales soared 106%, and local Israeli market revenue jumped 75%. Entering 2025, the company said it has a US$6.11m order backlog, up 19%.

ASX SMALL CAP LAGGARDS

Today’s worst performing small cap stocks:

Code	Name	Price	% Change	Volume	Market Cap
SIS	Simble Solutions	0.004	-33%	434,166	$5,017,982
GMN	Gold Mountain Ltd	0.003	-25%	769,608	$18,269,893
NAE	New Age Exploration	0.003	-25%	195,666	$8,575,596
TMX	Terrain Minerals	0.003	-25%	162,805	$7,242,782
TTI	Traffic Technologies	0.003	-25%	810,157	$4,614,933
SGQ	St George Min Ltd	0.020	-20%	11,952,557	$30,963,511
MEL	Metgasco Ltd	0.004	-20%	49,998	$7,287,934
RLG	Roolife Group Ltd	0.004	-20%	25,000	$5,980,156
TYX	Tyranna Res Ltd	0.004	-20%	317,798	$16,439,627
ERA	Energy Resources	0.003	-17%	540,000	$1,216,188,722
PWN	Parkway Corp Ltd	0.011	-15%	35,918	$35,972,480
BRN	Brainchip Ltd	0.320	-15%	24,826,278	$739,675,491
CCO	The Calmer Co Int	0.006	-14%	181,097	$17,785,969
GTR	Gti Energy Ltd	0.003	-14%	190,827	$10,370,324
KRR	King River Resources	0.012	-14%	149,000	$21,395,091
SER	Strategic Energy	0.007	-13%	25,000	$5,368,267
1AD	Adalta Limited	0.015	-12%	55,000	$10,734,787
KNB	Koonenberrygold	0.015	-12%	4,061,893	$14,862,887
BIT	Biotron Limited	0.016	-11%	100,000	$16,242,890
PUA	Peak Minerals Ltd	0.008	-11%	178,490	$22,968,992
RC1	Redcastle Resources	0.008	-11%	85,000	$6,692,102
TOY	Toys R Us	0.051	-11%	1,122,435	$8,621,943

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Syrah Resources (ASX:SYR) fell 2% despite securing a loan waiver from the US government’s development bank. The waiver, valued at US$53 million, comes after civil unrest in Mozambique halted production at its graphite mine.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Aroa Biosurgery’s (ASX:ARX) latest study has highlighted the potential of its Myriad treatment range in lower limb reconstruction, showing both its effectiveness and cost-saving benefits. The initial results from the Myriad Augmented Soft Tissue Reconstruction Registry (MASTRR) point to an opportunity that could see Aroa capitalise on a $225 million market.

Koonenberry Gold (ASX:KNB) has uncovered a 6km trend of copper-gold mineralisation through initial fieldwork at its Breakfast Creek project in NSW’s Lachlan Fold Belt. Rock chip sampling returned results up to 7.02g/t gold and 1.96% copper, confirming previous findings, with the company now working to advance several targets to drill-ready status.

St George Mining (ASX:SGQ) has secured $20 million through a placement to fund the acquisition of the high-grade Araxá niobium-rare earth element (REE) project in Brazil. Residing next to the world’s largest niobium mine, the company aims to begin a 5,000m diamond drilling campaign shortly.

At Stockhead, we tell it like it is. While Aroa Biosurgery, Koonenberry Gold, St George Mining and Dimerix are Stockhead advertisers, they did not sponsor this article.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.