Lower bond yields and stronger gold prices support the market as investors digest a busy day of company results.
Australian shares edged higher at midday, with the S&P/ASX 200 at 9,090 at 12.20pm AEST AEST. Technology stocks strengthened as WiseTech rebounded and Codan and Zip rallied following results, while miners gained as gold prices climbed. BHP and Rio Tinto also advanced. Healthcare remained firm, led by CSL and ResMed, while Telix gained after reporting a first-half profit. Banks limited the broader rise, with Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, ANZ and NAB all lower, while Sonic Healthcare fell despite reporting higher profit.
In small cap company news:
Etherstack delivers record first-half revenue as growth accelerates
Etherstack (ASX: ESK) has reported record first-half revenue of US$8.5 million for the six months to June 2026, up 40% on the prior corresponding period and equivalent to around 84% of its total FY25 revenue. The wireless communications technology company recorded EBITDA of US$2.1 million and returned to profitability with net profit after tax of US$430,000. Recurring revenue increased to US$2.7 million, with annual recurring revenue reaching US$5.5 million and now representing more than 30% of total revenue. For full company annoucement click
here.
Genesis Resources reports high-grade gold results at Arltunga
Genesis Resources
(ASX:GES) has reported high-grade gold results from reconnaissance rock chip sampling at its Arltunga project in the Northern Territory. A total of 53 samples were collected from previously undrilled areas, with multiple results above 10 grams per tonne gold and a peak result of 28.8 grams per tonne. The company is planning follow-up drilling across several prospects where historic workings coincide with high-grade surface samples. The Arltunga tenement is located around 110 kilometres east-northeast of Alice Springs and is wholly owned by Genesis.
Pivotal Metals expands Belleterre copper-nickel footprint
Pivotal Metals
(ASX:PVT) has entered an agreement to acquire the Bambino Project in Québec, expanding its exploration footprint around the Belleterre Projects. The acquisition consolidates a six-kilometre trend containing several high-grade copper, nickel and precious metals occurrences. The 3,320-hectare property surrounds several of Pivotal’s existing prospects and provides a larger area for exploration. Surface geophysics is expected to begin in September ahead of possible drilling in the fourth quarter, while drilling at the Lorraine Mine continues.
Latitude 66 unlocks $3.4m from royalty portfolio
Latitude 66
(ASX:LAT) has agreed to sell two non-core Australian royalty interests to Vox Royalty for $3.4 million in cash. Combined with the recent sale of its Piastri Project, the company has secured $4.9 million in non-dilutive funding from non-core assets over the past week. The additional funding will support drilling across Latitude 66’s core projects in Finland and Western Australia, including the KSB and PSB projects and the Laverton Gold Project. The company will also continue study and development work at KSB and Laverton.
Many Peaks extends gold mineralisation at Ouarigue
Many Peaks Minerals
(ASX:MPK) has reported further gold results from 54 reverse circulation drill holes at its Ferké Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire. Results included 44 metres at 1.51 grams per tonne gold and 12 metres at 5.50 grams per tonne, including two metres at 26.9 grams per tonne. The results confirm gold mineralisation across more than 800 metres of strike within the Ouarigue resource and support potential future resource upgrades and extensions. Further assays are pending from 65 RC holes and 43 diamond holes, with updated mineral resource estimates planned for the fourth quarter.
