The Australian sharemarket trimmed early gains on Wednesday following stronger-than-expected inflation data, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 0.12 per cent to 8,805.4 at 12.17pm AEDT, after rising as much as 0.7 per cent earlier in the session. Just four of the 11 sectors traded higher, with technology and mining stocks leading gains. BHP and Rio Tinto advanced, helping support the index following a positive session on Wall Street, where technology stocks rallied ahead of major US corporate earnings. Australian headline inflation rose 1.3 per cent in the September quarter, up from 0.6 per cent in the previous quarter, taking annual inflation to 4.3 per cent. The stronger reading increased expectations of another Reserve Bank interest rate rise, with money markets pricing in an 87 per cent chance of a November increase to 4.85 per cent, compared with 69 per cent before the data. Investors are also awaiting earnings from US technology giants Alphabet, Amazon and Microsoft later this week.
In small cap company news,
Clever Culture Systems targets eight APAS sales and evaluations in first half of FY27
Clever Culture Systems (ASX: CC5) has reported continued commercial progress for its AI-powered APAS Independence microbiology platform, completing three instrument sales to existing customers Novo and AstraZeneca during the September quarter. The company expects sales and new evaluations to reach eight units in the first half of FY27, matching the eight pharmaceutical instruments sold across the full 2026 financial year. Two existing global pharmaceutical customers are in final procurement discussions, with purchase orders expected during the December quarter. A new top-20 global pharmaceutical company is also expected to begin a paid evaluation, potentially expanding Clever Culture Systems’ engagement to nine major pharmaceutical manufacturers. Its partnership with PSC Biotech provides an additional sales channel and includes a commitment to purchase an instrument, supporting the company’s strategy to expand deployments and recurring software revenue. For more on this announcement, click
here.
Immutep receives $2.16 million French R&D tax incentive
Immutep (ASX: IMM) has received approximately $2.16 million from the French Government under its research and development tax incentive program for eligible activities conducted during 2025. The payment follows an $860,000 Australian R&D tax rebate received in September, bringing the combined incentives to approximately $3.02 million. The non-dilutive funding will support ongoing development of Immutep’s immunotherapy candidates, eftilagimod alfa, known as efti, for cancer treatment, and IMP761 for autoimmune diseases. The company is also eligible for research tax incentives in Germany through its local subsidiary. Immutep expects its existing cash reserves to fund operations into the first half of 2028. For more on this announcement, click
here.
Nova Minerals secures final permits for Alaska antimony project
Nova Minerals (ASX: NVA) has secured the final regulatory approvals for its Alaska antimony project, clearing the way for construction and development ahead of targeted production in 2027. The permits cover mining at the Styx and Stibium prospects, ore processing at the Whiskey Bravo site and downstream refining at Port Mackenzie. The first phase is supported by US$43.4 million in funding from the US Department of War to develop domestic production of military-grade antimony trisulfide. Nova has completed engineering and metallurgical test work, with major mining and processing equipment already delivered to project locations. The company will now focus on construction and implementing its development schedule.
Macallum New Energy raises $3 million to advance Perth Basin drilling plans
Macallum New Energy (ASX: MNE) has received firm commitments to raise approximately $3 million through a share placement priced at 14 cents per share. The funds will support exploration across its wholly owned EP 494 and EP 511 permits in Western Australia’s North Perth Basin, including technical studies, well planning and the ongoing EP 494 farm-out process. The placement will be completed in two tranches, with approximately $120,000 subject to shareholder approval. Macallum is targeting an exploration drilling campaign in the second half of 2027, subject to securing a suitable partner and completing preparations. The company recently reported independently assessed mean unrisked prospective gas resources of approximately 2,506 petajoules across EP 494, representing potential undiscovered resources rather than confirmed reserves.
RBR Group wins US$2 million accommodation contract at Mozambique LNG project
RBR Group (ASX: RBR) has secured an approximately US$2 million contract through its Mozambique subsidiary, Projectos Dinamicos, to supply worker accommodation modules for the Rovuma LNG development. The award forms part of a larger US$7 million contract shared with a South African supplier and involves manufacturing and delivering 32 accommodation modules and associated facilities for at least 100 workers. Work is scheduled to begin in early November, with delivery expected by late January 2027. The contract represents the first award for RBR at Mozambique’s LNG projects since force majeure restrictions were lifted. Successful delivery could position the company for additional work on a larger accommodation facility planned for approximately 700 personnel.
