The S&P/ASX 200 is up today, gaining 0.43% to 8,698.20 by 12:13 pm AEDT on Monday. Just five of the 11 sectors were trading higher, led by miners, banks and technology stocks, while communication services recorded the steepest decline as Telstra extended Friday’s losses. Investor sentiment was supported by expectations of strong US corporate earnings, despite ongoing bond market volatility. US Treasury yields reached their highest level in more than two decades, while Australian bond yields remained near a 15-year high.
In small cap company news,
HighCom secures $1.28 million defence drone spares order
HighCom
(ASX:HCL) has secured a new order worth A$1.28 million excluding GST to supply spare parts for small uncrewed aerial systems to Australian Defence. The order, received through its HighCom Technology subsidiary, forms part of an existing defence support contract and follows a previous spares order announced in June. Delivery is expected to be completed during the 2027 financial year. The company said the additional order reinforces its ongoing role in supporting Defence’s drone operations, including maintenance, engineering and logistics services.
OMG Group expands distribution across 148 Australian clubs
OMG Group
(ASX:OMG) has secured a new distribution opportunity through Leagues Clubs Australia, opening access to a network of 148 member clubs across New South Wales and Queensland. The agreement covers its Oat Milk Goodness, Blue Dinosaur, Omura Matcha and Matcha Mode brands, with sales expected to begin in November 2026. The arrangement allows individual clubs to order products directly from OMG Group for their cafés, gyms and hospitality facilities. The company said the partnership expands its food service distribution network, although future sales will depend on orders placed by individual clubs.
Omega Oil & Gas reports strongest Canyon well results to date
Omega Oil & Gas
(ASX:OMA) has reported its strongest drilling results to date from the Canyon-4 well in Queensland’s Taroom Trough, intersecting a 589-metre oil and gas-bearing sequence containing 197 metres of aggregate net pay. The result exceeds previous Canyon wells, while average porosity in the primary sandstone target increased to 12.1 per cent, compared with 7.4 per cent at Canyon-1. Omega said the results strengthen its assessment of a potentially extensive oil and gas system across its acreage, with an area of approximately 400 square kilometres identified as potentially supporting around 160 horizontal well locations. The company is targeting an updated resource assessment in the first quarter of 2027, followed by horizontal flow testing in the first half of the year.
Amara Minerals reports further high-grade gold at Apollo
Amara Minerals
(ASX:AM3) has reported further high-grade gold results from its Apollo Gold and Antimony Project in central Victoria. Diamond drilling returned 102.3 metres at 2.29 grams per tonne gold from 140.5 metres, including 11 metres at 12.79 grams per tonne. A second hole intersected 73.4 metres at 1.31 grams per tonne gold, while geological logging of a recently completed hole identified fine visible gold in two locations, with laboratory results still pending. The company said mineralisation remains open at depth and to the south, supporting further drilling and assessment of a potential maiden mineral resource estimate. Additional assay results are expected in mid-November.
Native Mineral Resources secures $18 million refinancing to support gold production
Native Mineral Resources
(ASX:NMR) has completed an $18 million refinancing arrangement to strengthen liquidity and support gold production at its Blackjack Operations in north Queensland. The new loan, provided by an entity associated with Managing Director Blake Cannavo, has enabled the company to repay its existing Collins Street financing facility, removing approximately $11.56 million in scheduled repayments over the next 12 months. Around $2.69 million remains available for further debt repayments and general business purposes. The new facility has a 24-month term, with the first year of base interest prepaid, although certain approvals and conditions could trigger earlier repayment. The company said the refinancing will allow it to focus on improving production, reducing operating costs and increasing efficiency at its Blackjack Processing Facility.
