Economists from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CAB) have forecast the chances of Australia going into recession this year are sitting at 50 per cent.

Seven out of 11 sectors are making gains.

Pharmaceutical company Imugene (IMU), has jumped 7.5 per cent after revealing its ready to kick off the fourth stage of a trial evaluating its advanced solid tumour fighting drug.

The fourth stage will see patients dosed with the VAXINIA virus as well as in combination with another drug. The company last traded at 10 cents.

Buy-now-pay-later company, Zip Co (ZIP) is up slightly, after announcing the completion of a $24.7 million equity placement.

The funds were raised through Institutional investors, as part of a liability management exercise to reduce debt and increase value to shareholders. ZIP has gained 2.4 per cent trading at 51.8 cents.

Starpharma’s (SPL) CEO, Jackie Fairely will step down after 16 years at the helm.

The biopharmaceutical company reported that during her tenure, Dr Fairley “transformed” Starpharma from a startup to a “mature organisation.”

Dr Fairley intends to depart during 2024. Company shares were up 1.3 per cent, trading at 37.5 cents.

Car subscription company, Carly Holdings (CL8) has tapped investors for $1.6 million dollars to accelerate business growth.

The oversubscribed placement will see 64 million shares issued at 2.5 cents each, with funds to go towards advancing its electric vehicle strategy. Shares were down 6 per cent, trading at 3.1 cents.

Drug Development company, Nyrada (NYR) has identified a new drug candidate to clinically develop, to support traumatic brain injury survivors.

The drug has a better safety profile and higher potency than a previously drug the company was researching; and will soon progress to preclinical studies.

Company shares were up 11.4 per cent, trading at 8.8 cents.

And exploration company Blaze Minerals (BLZ) will be expanding its North Spirit lithium project in Ontario Canada.

The company has acquired more than 2,500 additional hectares. Blaze shares climbed 10 per cent, trading at 2.2 cents.

The boost came after the United States debt ceiling bill was signed into law, avoiding a catastrophic default. Asian markets were also up.

International Education organisation, IDP Education (IEL) has been slowly recovering its losses after dropping close to 17 per cent over four days last week.

On Friday it recouped some losses, closing the day up nearly six and a half per cent. Today it closed at $22.55.

Copper gold explorer WA1 Resources also had a stellar day, up 27.3 per cent.

The lift was due to the company uncovering the highest ever grade of niobium at its West Arunta project in Western Australia. Results included ten metres at 8.3 per cent niobium and eight metres at three per cent.

And for the small caps, Resources & Energy Group (REZ) soared a whopping 175 per cent.

The exploration company reported it had uncovered shallow disseminated nickel sulphides at its Springfield prospect, within its East Menzies project near Kalgoorlie, WA.

Tech was one of only two sectors to offset the otherwise sea of green.

Sector heavyweight Xero (XRO) fell 1.84 per cent to end the day at $109.81.

The accounting software company settled lower today after rising to its 52-week high of $113.50 on Friday.

Medical research and development company, Vectus Biosystems (VBS) fell 14 per cent after its quarterly report failed to impress investors.

And gold producer Capricorn Metals (CMM) lost 4.67, despite releasing no fresh news. The company closed the day at $4.29.

That’s market news for today. Let’s see what tomorrow’s reserve bank interest rates announcement has in store.  

Stay ahead with exclusive HotCopper insights and daily trending stocks here.

This comes after the US senate voted to suspend the country’s debt ceiling until 2025, avoiding a potentially catastrophic default.

Uranium explorer Paladin Energy (PDN) has finished the week in a strong position, closing up nearly 11 per cent.

The rise came after the Namibian government quashed rumours it was planning to take stakes in the country’s existing mines.

It’s the same claim Paladin made yesterday, which resulted in a share price jump of 11 per cent. Paladin ended the day at 67 cents.

International Education organisation, IDP Education, made some recoveries through the day, after losing close to 17 per cent since Monday. At the end of the day IDP gained 6.3 per cent trading at $21.75

Another company to close the day strong was gold miner Newcrest Mining (NCM).

Last month the gold miner said it would back a $28.8 billion takeover by the world’s biggest gold miner, Newmont. The company wound up the week nearly five per cent higher trading at $27.50

Telix Pharmaceuticals (TLX) had a challenging day, sliding more than seven per cent. The company closed the day at $10.82

Neuren Pharmaceuticals (NEU) also dipped nearly 4.5 per cent despite releasing no news this month.

And Logistics company Brambles (BXB) fell 2.5 per cent to close the day at $13.38.

Water security is a growing problem globally, which NematiQ a wholly owned subsidiary of ASX listed Clean TeQ Water is aiming to tackle using its unique filtration technology. To discuss how this works, I’m joined by NematiQ’s Chief Executive Officer, David Menzies. Welcome, David.

David:

Thank you.

Yvonne:

So David, first of all, tell us about NematiQ?

David:

“NematiQ’s, a 100 percent owned subsidiary of Clean TeQ Water, asx code CNQ. The technology came out of research from Monash University, which was targeted at applications for graphene in various applications, and this one was the water filtration. The technology itself is useful for solving issues in drinking water and wastewater applications, and that’s important because the world’s going through global scarcity of water.”

Yvonne:

Can you explain a little bit more about the technology itself? What are graphene membranes?

David:

“Membranes themselves are made from polymers. They are used for water treatment and wastewater treatment globally. They suffer from fouling and high energy use. What we’ve done with our patent technology is to use graphene as the selective layer, which has an anti fouling property and can operate under low energy requirement.”

Yvonne:

Is the technology commercially ready?

David:

“In terms of manufacturing readiness? We’ve been able to manufacture our products at industrial scale, and as you can see next to me here, we’ve made modules that are of standard industrial sizes, which can be deployed to solve global problems. In terms of commercial readiness, we have started to make initial sales. We’ve done that through extensive laboratory testing and piloting with customers, and that has led to those sales outcomes. One of the customers called Water Source Australia is based here in Australia and they make a drinking water cabinet. They’ve selected our graphene membrane to be part of their solution with Schreurs & Sons, who we did extensive piloting with six months ago at their celery and leek Farm. We did some wastewater recycling work. They’ve been very impressed with the results and we’re working with them on how to deploy that solution with them currently.”

Yvonne:

David, where does NematiQ go from here?

David:

“FY 24 is our education year. What we’re going to be doing is working with the value chain partners, the system integrators, to build the brand awareness of our product so that our products can get out there to create positive impact and revenue for our business.”

Asian markets also fared well, with the Nikkei gaining 0.8 per cent.

Clean energy storage company, Redflow (RFX) closed the day 35.1 per cent higher after revealing it will supply 2,000 batteries for an energy project in California, in its biggest single sale to date.

The $18.4 million dollar project will supply energy to a Native American nation and is being funded by the California Energy Commission.

Meanwhile, trucking and freight company, K&S corporation (KSC) gained 18 per cent.

The company has been tracking up since May 30, when it updated its profit guidance to nearly $20 million more than last year, at $43 million.

And Uranium miner Paladin Energy (PDN) also had a win today, gaining 11 per cent after dismissing rumours the Namibian Government was planning on buying a minority interest in mining companies in Namibia.

Paladin holds a 75 per cent stake in the Langer Heinrich Mine in the country.

Clinical stage immuno-oncology company, Imugene (IMU) failed to impress investors with an update on its PD1 VAXX trial.

Imugene reported it had dosed the first combination patient in the trial which is testing the safety and efficacy of the drug on its own or in combination, on patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Company shares dropped 9.09 per cent to trade at 10 cents.

And pharmaceutical company, Zelira Therapeutics (ZLD), began its decent back to earth after its whopping gain of nearly 225 per cent yesterday.

The company reported its cannabinoid diabetic nerve pain treatment outperformed a pharmaceutical giant’s multi-billion-dollar drug in a clinical trial. Today, it dropped 24.6 per cent to settle at $2.30.

The US$12 million (A$18.4 million) solar and storage project, known as the Paskenta Racheria Microgrid, is being funded by the California Energy Commission (CEC), and will provide energy to the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians in Northern California.

The project will combine a 20 Megawatt-hour (MWh) long-duration energy storage system with a five MW solar installation.

The company said this 20 MWh system will be one of the largest zinc-based battery projects globally, and will be Redflow’s largest single sale and deployment of batteries to date.

Under the project, Redflow will supply and oversee the installation of 2000 of the “world’s smallest commercially available zinc-bromine flow” batteries, dubbed ZBM3, which will be housed in 200 kWh modular energy pods.

The batteries are expected to be shipped between late 2023 and the first half of 2024.

The company said payments for the project will be made progressively at different milestones until completion.

Tim Harris, Redflow’s CEO and Managing Director, said this project is “one of several large-scale opportunities” in the pipeline.

“The market for long-duration energy storage solutions is rapidly accelerating, and this project will firmly establish Redflow’s presence in California, which is leading the development and support of non-lithium technologies to achieve its net-zero goals,” he said.

“For this project, Redflow’s battery system is designed to charge from solar and discharge throughout the remainder of the day, reducing grid demand and boosting the energy security and sovereignty of the Paskenta Racheria.

“We’re proud to be working with our partners in California to deliver our proven zinc-bromine flow battery technology and meet California’s need for longer-duration and scalable, firesafe energy storage solutions.”

The project is expected to kick off after the formalisation of project agreements and is expected to be finalised by Q1 FY25.

RFX shares were up 43.2 per cent, trading at 26.5 cents at 3:25 pm AEST.

Cue Energy Resources (ASX:CUE) has been exploring the Asia-Pacific region to acquire new assets and develop existing projects. To discuss the findings, I’m joined by CEO Matthew Boyall. Welcome Matthew.

Matthew Boyall:

Thanks Yvonne.

Yvonne Ardley:

So firstly, Matthew, can you give us an update on Cue and its projects?

Matthew Boyall:

“Cue is a production company that has a diversified portfolio of projects producing oil and gas in New Zealand, Australia and Indonesia. We are cashflow positive in production from all these assets. In Indonesia, we produce both oil and gas onshore and offshore. In New Zealand, we produce offshore oil. And in Australia, we participate in the domestic market through our production of gas from Mereenie, Palm Valley and Dingo fields in the Northern Territory. These give us a great cashflow, great lot of revenue. In the last quarter, we produced $13 million of revenue and $3.6 million of cash flow. So continually adds to our balance sheet and great production assets”.

Yvonne Ardley:

So, what actually separates Cue Energy from other explorers?

Matthew Boyall:

“Cue Energy is very unique. We’re a diversified production company. We have actual oil and gas production and revenue from projects in three countries in their region. We also have growth options and these are development options. So at each of our projects, we are drilling wells that have a low risk upside. In the Mahato onshore Indonesia, we’re drilling five more wells. The last well produced 800 barrels a day and there’s five more to go this year. And in onshore Australia in the Mereenie field, the joint venture’s planning two additional gas wells later on in the year to enhance our gas production into the East Coast of Australia.”

Yvonne Ardley:

In terms of growth, how do you see Cue evolving over the next decade?

Matthew Boyall:

“In the short term, we have opportunities at our existing projects to drill development wells and exploration wells. We’ll be continuing our projects to enhance our production where we have production already. In onshore Indonesia, we have an exploration well that is due to be drilled in a couple of months. So, depending on how that goes, we would look to another, hopefully, another development there over the next few years. And offshore Indonesia in the Sampang PSC, we have a project called Paus Biru that is ready to take a final investment decision that will provide gas to Indonesia in about 2025. We have very strong cash flows, so building up our balance sheet, we have strong and supportive major shareholders that will enable us to grow in the region in both our conventional and possibly over the longer term, the new energies.”

Yvonne Ardley:

Matthew Boyall from Cue Energy Resources, thanks for joining me today.

Matthew Boyall:

Thanks Yvonne.

Inflation for the year to April was recorded higher than expected at 6.8 per cent. The news also took a toll on the sectors, spreading a sea of red.

While the healthcare sector was among those to sink, pharmaceutical company, Zelira Therapeutics (ZLD) bucked the trend, exploding 224.47 per cent

The rise came after Zelira reported its cannabinoid diabetic nerve pain drug outperformed a pharmaceutical giant’s multi-billion dollar-drug in a clinical trial. Company shares closed at $3.05.

Sound reproduction tech company, Audio Pixels (AKP) gained a healthy 20.08 per cent today. It came off the back of yesterday’s rise of 34 per cent.

Audio Pixel revealed in its AGM that its second generation chip was in “advanced stages of fabrication” and will “add very specific commercial value.”

And IT service management company, Megaport (MP1), also finished the day higher, up 4.12 per cent, despite not releasing any news since its appointment of Michael Reid as an Executive Director in mid-May. Shares closed the day at $6.82.

The energy sector felt the biggest drag, down 2.5 per cent.

Bank of Queensland (BOQ) tumbled 5.36 per cent after falling into trouble with two regulators.

The bank has now entered an enforceable undertaking with both APRA and ASTRAC after deficiencies were found in areas such as risk management.

APRA also added an additional $50 million to the operational risk capital requirement.

Australian Ethical Investment (AEF) closed the day 3.93 per cent lower, despite no fresh news released.

And Whitehaven Coal (WHC) also dropped 6.45 per cent today – feeling the effects of the price of coal, which slumped nearly four per cent today and close to 70 per cent over the past 12 months.

In the materials space, Leo Lithium (LLL) has jumped 17.6 per cent after China’s largest lithium producer, Ganfeng, committed to invest $106 million-dollars in the company.

The placement will fully fund Leo’s stage one development at its Goulamina lithium project in Mali. At placement close, Ganfeng will hold 9.9 per cent of Leo’s total shares on issue. Leo’s shares were trading at 85.3 cents.

Exploration company Augustus Minerals (AUG) has identified potential ironstone targets at its Ti-Tree project in WA’s Gascoyne region.

A survey program uncovered more than 10 kilometres worth of ironstone potential, that could host rare earth elements.

AUG was up nearly more than 3 and a half per cent trading at 21.3 cents.

Exploration company Dreadnought Resources (DRE) has produced a concentrate from its Mangaroon rare earth element project in Western Australia that returned more than 31 per cent total rare earth oxide.

The concentrate came from drill samples at its Yin Ironstone Complex, producing an 86 per cent total rare earth recovery – 12 times higher than its average recovery grade. DRE shares were unchanged at 5.6 cents.

Exploration company Arcadia Minerals (AM7) has secured more than $10.5 million from a Hong Kong construction company for its Swanson tantalum project in Namibia.

HeiBei will be responsible for constructing the plant and executing the mine’s development in exchange for an interest in the project. Arcadia was trading down 2.7 per cent  at 17.5 cents a share.

Biotechnology company, Tissue Repair (TRP) has been given the tick of approval by the US Food and Drug Administration, to begin the third phase of a clinical trial testing its wound healing drug.

600 patients will soon be enrolled across Australia and the US to test TR-987. If all goes well, this could mark the first drug approved for venous leg ulcers in more than 25 years.

And drug developer, Recce Pharmaceuticals (RCE), has appointed outpatient nurses from leading healthcare provider Ascott, broadening the patient population for a trial testing its R327 drug.

The study will assess the safety and efficacy of R327 as a treatment for patients with mild skin and soft tissue diabetic foot infections.

Recce’s shares were up more than 2 and a half per cent, trading at 57.5 cents.

The ASX 200 closed up 0.23 per cent at 7.154.8 points

Earlier today the ABS revealed retail spending has plateaued since the start of the year, sparking hopes for an end to interest rate hikes.

Copper gold exploration company WA1 Resources (WA1) rose 17.2 per cent, to close the day at $4.70.

Despite not releasing an update, the company’s share price has been skyrocketing over the past few months, sparked by ongoing exploration at its high-grade West Arunta niobium project on the WA and NT border.

Employment services company, APM Human Services International (APM) jumped nearly 10 per cent, after the company won a $720 million contract in the UK.

APM will provide Functional Assessment Services across the UK on behalf of the Department of Work and Pensions.

For the small caps, exploration company, Blaze Minerals (BLZ) share price exploded 90 per cent today, after revealing the fresh acquisition of a lithium project in Canada.

Blaze will soon be the proud owner of the North Spirit Lake project, which covers 340 square kilometres in the Electric Avenue of Ontario’s Red Lake region.

Appliance manufacturer Fisher and Paykel (FPH) dipped 6.3 per cent after revealing its revenue dropped six per cent over the 2023 financial year.

The preliminary report also outlined a 34 per cent decline in net profit after tax to $250 million dollars.

Building and construction company CSR (CSR) also closed the day in the red dropping 5 per cent.

The company today released the notice for its annual meeting next week.

And financial services company Block (SQ2) took a tumble of nearly 5 per cent just days after the Federal Government’s crack down on buy now, pay later regulations.

The company closed at $90.40.

The company entered a heads of agreement with Exiro Minerals Corporation to acquire 100 per cent of the North Spirit Lake lithium project, made up of 1698 claims for 340 square kilometres in the Red Lake region in Canada.

The project sits 30 kilometres southeast of TSX-listed Frontier Lithium’s PAK and Spark deposits, which have uncovered a recent result of 398 metres at 1.88 per cent lithium oxide, including 23 metres at 3.12 per cent lithium oxide.

Blaze, alongside Exiro, is planning to kick off exploration work in the coming months.

The focus will be on two-mica granite pegmatites identified in a regional Ontario geological survey, which the company reported showed promising similarities to the PAK deposit.

The company also reported litho-geochemical data obtained to date indicates areas of fractionation and enrichment in key volatile elements, displaying potential for lithium mineralisation.

Blaze is now preparing to launch a share placement to raise $2 million, to pay for the acquisition, as well as exploration and development of the project.

Up to two million shares will be issued at one cent apiece – a 1.35 per cent premium to the 15 day volume weighted average price.

BLZ shares were up 100 per cent, trading at two cents at 3:25 pm AEST.

Askari acquired EPL 7345 by purchasing Kokerboom Mineral Processing, which wholly-owns the tenement, from Jenny Elaine van der Walt.

To secure the purchase, Askari handed over a total of 279,255 ordinary shares.

This acquisition follows Askari Metals’ previous acquisition of a 90 per cent interest in EPL 7345, announced on April 11, 2023.

Askari also holds an 80 per cent interest in the second tenement that makes up the Uis, EPL 8535, and is moving towards acquiring the remainder of this tenement as well.

“Acquiring the remaining 10 per cent interest in EPL 7345 provides the company maximum flexibility in the future development of the Uis lithium project,” Askari Executive Director Gino D’Anna said.

Askari Metals is currently exploring across the Uis project, including the near completion of a phase two exploration reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at EPL 7345.

The company has reported this drilling has already revealed “significant” lithium-bearing mineralised pegmatites, with abundant spodumene and polylithionite encountered in the drill chips.

To further assess the potential of these pegmatites, Askari plans to conduct a diamond drilling campaign.

Askari said it will continue to look for new drill targets through mapping and sampling across both tenements.

AS2 shares were up 3.51 per cent at market close, trading at 29.5 cents.

Diversified miner, Sandfire Resources (SFR), has produced first copper concentrate at its Motheo copper mine in Botswana.

The construction of Motheo is now around 92 per cent complete, with the mine on track to support an initial 3.2 million tonnes per annum processing capacity. The company plans to ramp this up to 5.2 million tonnes by early next year.

Company shares were down nearly 2.5 per cent, at $5.49.

Biotechnology company, Immutep (IMM), has dosed its first patient in Europe, in an integrated phase two and three trial to treat metastatic breast cancer.

The company is testing its drug “efti”, in combination with a chemotherapy medicine, to treat two aggressive forms of the cancer.

Immutep’s shares jumped more than 5.5 per cent on the news, trading at 37.5 cents.

Oil and gas company, Black Mountain Energy (BME), has received a proposal for the drilling of a well in the Permian Basin on its Half Moon prospect in New Mexico, USA.

The proposal comes from Manzano Energy, which offered a working interest unit and drilling of the well for around $18.8 million.

Black Mountain is now considering the proposal and will announce its decision shortly.

Company shares were down 9.5 per cent, trading at 1.9 cents.

Mineral exploration company, Riedel Resources (RIE), is ready to launch a reverse circulation drill program at its Kingman gold project in Arizona, on the back of its $2.5 million capital raise.

The program will target the Tintic prospect with first assays expected in August, before releasing a maiden mineral resource estimate.

Riedel’s shares last traded 0.5 cents.

And exploration company, Mount Ridley Mines (MRD), has received the first air-core drill results from central drilling at its Mia prospect within its Mount Ridley rare earth element project in WA.

The company struck six metres of nearly 7000 parts per million total rare earth oxide (TREO), including one metre of nearly 29,000 parts per million, with all intersections averaging a thickness of 12 metres.

Mt Ridley’s shares last traded at 0.3 cents.

Funds will be used for exploration, evaluation, ongoing project development expenditure and working capital at the Company’s Mt Edwards Project, near Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.

The placement will see 46.1 million shares issued at 26 cents each — equal to its last closing price.

WIN reported the placement received “strong support” with more demand than expected.

One of those supporters was Ascend Global Investment Fund SPC subsidiary, VIC, who will soon own a 9.9 per cent stake in WIN, after subscribing for around 29.5 million shares in the placement.

CEO and Managing Director, Steve Norregaard said he was “delighted with the support” from VIC, as well as other “highly credentialed investors.”

“We look forward to putting these funds to work with several exciting advancements in train including commercialisation of our nickel and recently discovered lithium endowment and ongoing exploration activities on our highly prospective Mt Edwards project tenure.”

At market close, WIN shares were trading steady at 26 cents.

The ASX 200 closed down 0.22 per cent for the first day of the trading week at 7,263.3 points.

Information Technology finished at the top of the sectors today, one of only four sectors to have a positive finish.

Despite not releasing any news today, tech company Brainchip (BRN) was a standout performer, gaining 8.5 per cent to close at 51 cents.

Software as a service company, Bigtincan Holdings had a big day, gaining 15 per cent after confirming it had received a takeover offer.

The confidential, non-binding offer came from Siris Capital Group, offering 80 cents per share.

And gas producer and fertiliser manufacturer, Strike Energy (STX), was also a standout, gaining 5.4 per cent.

The company has been making steady gains since penning a processing services agreement with Santos (STO) for condensate at its joint venture Walyering gas field, reported last week.

Fintech, Tyro Payments (TYR) felt the pinch today, falling more than 16.5 per cent after Potentia Capital pulled out of a deal to takeover the company.

Tyro had initially rejected Potentia’s earlier takeover offers from last year, but the two parties were in discussions again after Potentia offered due diligence, before pulling out of the deal. Shares last traded at $1.28.

And Galan Lithium (GLN) dropped nearly 11 per cent after completing a $31.5 million capital raise.

The company will use funds to purchase long lead items for its lithium-carbonate equivalent pilot plant and a stage 2 definitive feasibility study at its Hombre muerto west lithium brine project in Argentina.

Agriflex’s 15,000-tonne shipment was facilitated through a marketing agreement with Samsung C&T, and will be received by one of its “substantial” commercial fertiliser-producer customers.

Earlier this year, Centrex entered into a binding marketing services agreement with Samsung C&T, designating it as the exclusive agent for sales of phosphate rock from Centrex’s Ardmore phosphate rock mine in northwest Queensland.

The agreement covers the Korean, Japanese, Indonesian, Indian, Mexican, and Taiwanese markets, with 20 per cent of Ardmore’s total production allocated under the arrangement.

“China is currently the world’s largest phosphate producer, but phosphate rock supplies of Centrex’s caliber are not yet widely available in Asia,” Centrex Managing Director, Robert Mencel said.

“We are confident that this shipment will open doors for us in the Asian market due to the exceptional quality of our product.

“Our phosphate rock boasts not only high-grade characteristics but also a low Cadmium content, a toxic chemical that can accumulate in crops and pose health risks.”

Australia and New Zealand currently import approximately one million tonnes of high-grade phosphate rock annually, primarily from African sources.

Late last year, Centrex shipped two large consignments to New Zealand, marking what the company said was the beginning of a new export industry.

To date, Centrex has exported a total of 59,290 tonnes of phosphate rock to clients in Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea.

CXM shares last traded at 15 cents at 3:05 pm AEST.

Ship building company, Austal (ASB), has leapt more than 25 per cent to crack the $2 dollar mark.

It came off the back of news its US subsidiary won a $3 billion contract to build seven anti-submarine warfare ships for the US navy.

Aviation giant Qantas (QAN) has made slight gains after announcing it will increase its number of international flights – including a million more seats with the addition of new aircraft and staff.

This will include leasing planes and hiring crew from Finland’s largest air carrier, Finnair – a decision that’s copped criticism from the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA).

AIPA says the decision to outsource planes is “bitterly disappointing”, and could have been avoided with better management. Qantas shares were up 0.85 per cent, trading at $6.51.

Imugene (IMU) has tracked up 6.5 per cent, after receiving US Food and Drug Administration approval to begin a study of its virus that attacks cancer cells, called onCARlytics.

The immuno-oncology company can now begin recruiting for the study – which will dose patients with a combination of the virus and an antibody, to target and kill solid tumours.

Imugene was trading at 12.3 cents.

Lithium Plus Minerals (LPM) has tapped investors for $4.5 million, to fund exploration at its Bynoe lithium project in the Northern Territory.

The company received firm commitments to issue 15 million new shares through a placement at 30 cents apiece.

Shares were up 8.3 per cent, trading at 35.8

Pharmaceutical company, Epsilon Healthcare (EPN), has a new CEO.

Peter Giannopoulos has more than 25 years’ experience in the Australian healthcare system, including as CEO of both Cell Therapies and Ramsay Healthcare (RHC).

He’ll step into the role early next week. Epsilon shares were up 16.7 per cent trading at 2.1 cents.

And mineral exploration company, Encounter Resources (ENR), has launched a $10 million share placement.

Funds will be used to accelerate exploration within the West Arunta region of WA, which Managing Director Will Robinson says is highly prospective for iron oxide copper gold (IOCG) deposits and critical minerals. Shares were up 7.4 per cent, trading at 29 cents.

The ASX 200 closed up 0.52 per cent, at 7,236.8 points.

It was another positive day for tech companies, as the sector once again finished at the top – up 2.65 per cent.

Agricultural chemical company, Nufarm (NUF) charged ahead, lifting 14.1 per cent off the back of its half yearly report.

Despite reporting a drop in revenue and EBITDA, the company posted underlying net profit up seven per cent, and a 25 per cent increase to dividends.

The market also favoured tech company Xero’s (XRO) half yearly report, with the company surging 8.9 per cent to exceed the $100 mark.

Xero reported a 28 per cent boost to operating revenue, and a 45 per cent increase to EBITDA.

And for the penny stocks, diversified miner, Intra Energy Corporation (IEC) climbed 60 per cent after announcing the acquisition of a lithium project in Quebec, Canada.

It’s the first lithium project for the company, which is transitioning out of coal.

Gaming and tech company, Aristocrat Leisure (ALL) saw a downturn on market today, after the release of its half yearly report.

Despite a boost to revenue of 12 per cent and EBITDA of nearly 5.7 per cent, the share price still fell three per cent.

Oil and gas explorer and producer, Beach Energy (BPT), slid 4.2 per cent, after the company backtracked on previous estimates for the cost and timeline of its Waitsia stage two gas project.

The company said the tight labour market in Western Australia has impacted construction progress for the plant, which was set to produce gas for export later this year.

And wood-fibre exporter, Midway (MWY), fell 11.6 per cent, after one of its major customers in China said it does not intend to take volume from midway for the second half of the financial year.

IEC inked a binding agreement with DG Resource Management (DGRM) for complete ownership of the project, comprising 123 minerals claims across 63 square kilometres.

The project also resides 40 kilometres from Winsome Resources’ (WR1) Adina project and 120 kilometres from TSX-listed Patriot Battery Metals’ Corvette project, in a region that is rapidly becoming known for hard rock lithium exploration.

To fund the acquisition and begin exploration, IEC announced it received firm commitments from sophisticated and professional investors, raising $3.6 million through a conditional share placement.

However, in terms of the deal, the company will need to fork out $1 million (C$950,000) in cash, plus 195 million IEC shares, 97.5 million options and 150 million performance rights vesting into shares.

“The acquisition of Llama provides IEC with a significant footprint in the James Bay Lithium District, Quebec,” DGRM President Jody Dahrouge said.

“With negligible historic exploration for spodumene pegmatites, Llama is situated in a favourable geologic setting with very good potential.”

IEC Managing Director Benjamin Dunn said the purchase with DGRM gave the company “confidence” in the project’s potential.

“DGRM has a remarkable track record of identifying successful projects in the region,” he said.

Once the acquisition is complete, IEC aims to kick off exploration activities, which include a detailed geological mapping and sampling campaign, followed by the use of high-resolution aerial imagery and magnetics to define high-quality targets.

Diamond drilling will then be carried out on the identified targets, subject to approvals.

IEC shares were up 60 per cent and trading at 0.8 cents at 3:19 pm AEST.

It came after the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed wage prices are still too high.

Information technology was the standout sector of the day, and one of only three sectors to close green in a sea of reds.

San Francisco-based, Life 360 (360) climbed 5.72 per cent today, adding to its almost 12 per cent gain yesterday.

It came after the IT company revealed a 34 per cent boost to its revenue in its March quarterly.

Cancer diagnostics technology company Rhythm Biosciences (RHY) had a huge win today, surging 95.71 per cent.

The rise came after the company received regulatory approval in the United Kingdom to sell and market its low-cost blood test that detects colon cancer.

At its peak around midday, Rhythm more than doubled its price, before settling to close at 68.5 cents.

Technology company Serko (SKO) also had a stellar day, gaining 37.74 per cent off the back of its annual report.

For FY23, Serko boosted income by 154 per cent to $48 million – higher than its guidance of up to $47 million.

Explosives manufacturer, Incitec Pivot (IPL) had a challenging day, losing 7.84 per cent.

The company posted half year results, which showed underlying earnings fell six per cent.

Weebit Nano (WBT) also saw a drop of 6.89 per cent. The company today posted a response to an ASX price query, questioning why the share price fell more than a dollar.

The company said it did not have any undisclosed information that could account for the drop.

And retailer group, Best and Less (BST) fell 3.86 per cent after downgrading guidance for the current half year.

The group originally expected a profit of between $18 to$20 million, but has now adjusted that to $10 to $12 million.