ASX Runners of the Week: Amplia, archTIS and Vanadium Resources
The ASX continued at near all-time highs this week, pulling back a fraction by Friday, as conflict between Iran and Israel continued to rise.
The oil price surged a further 10 per cent this week as Israel turned its focus from Iran's nuclear facilities to targeting its oil and gas infrastructure.
Uranium stocks were the week's main winners. Surprisingly, they were not fuelled directly by global drivers, but rather by investment heavyweight Sprott's physical uranium trust purchase of $200 million worth of uranium oxide, which was announced on Monday.
The result for uranium stocks on the index was deafening. Uranium miners Boss Energy, Paladin Energy and Deep Yellow were among the most heavily shorted on the ASX, making up three of the top 10 shorted companies. A sharp increase in uranium caused a two-fold effect of en masse buying and short seller panic to close out positions, with the big three uranium stocks all surging up 20 per cent on the day.
In a rare shake-up, no Australian-based resource companies feature on this week's Bulls N' Bears' ASX Runners list. Instead, the chocolates went to a groundbreaking Aussie biotech story, which could be on to the makings of one of the biggest breakthroughs in oncology treatment in years.
Up 339% (5.7c – 25c)
This week's Bulls N' Bears ASX Runner of the Week is biotech trailblazer Amplia Therapeutics, which sent the market into an absolute tailspin thanks to a jaw-dropping set of results from a clinical trial for incredibly nasty pancreatic cancer.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Herald Sun
3 hours ago
- Herald Sun
SA Premier's Business and Export Awards
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News. The company behind a revolutionary skate-like rehabilitation device – founded by former Adelaide Crows club champion Matthew Liptak – is among the finalists in this year's South Australian Premier's Business and Export Awards. MAXM Skate is one of more than 50 finalists in this year's awards, which recognise the contribution of local businesses to the social, environmental and economic wellbeing of the state. It is one of four companies named as finalists in both the business and export categories, putting it in the running for the two major awards – the South Australian Business of the Year and the South Australian Exporter of the Year. Almondco Australia, Mayne Pharma and payments start-up MyVenue – which recently secured a multimillion-dollar investment from US venture capital firm Greater Sum Ventures – are also finalists in both the business and export categories. The MAXM Skate product is a rehabilitation device and digital program for those recovering from knee surgery and injury. The Adelaide-based company already supports patients in more than 26 countries and recently launched a $5m capital raise. This year's 28 award categories celebrate the achievements of a variety of businesses including emerging, regional, family and Indigenous enterprises. Winners across 13 business award categories and 15 export categories will be announced at a gala event in August, with winners of the export categories entered as finalists in the Australian Exporter Awards held in Canberra in November. Last year's major award winners were artificial intelligence-based risk analysis company Fivecast and QuantX Labs – a developer of high-precision timing devices used in major defence and space projects. South Australian Business Chamber chief executive Andrew Kay said the calibre of nominations was 'exceptionally strong' again this year. 'It is always a challenge for the judges to select the finalists from so many high quality applications,' he said. 'It reflects the breadth of high achieving businesses operating here in South Australia and reinforces why the Premier's Business and Export Awards has quickly built a reputation as the pinnacle of business awards in our state.' The awards will be presented at a gala dinner on August 29. Adelaide start-up's massive US payday Originally published as SA Premier's Business and Export Awards - finalists revealed

Mercury
6 hours ago
- Mercury
LLM teams up with Terra Search at historic mine
Don't miss out on the headlines from Stockhead. Followed categories will be added to My News. LLM and Dr Simon Beams team up to explore historic Highway Reward mine Company has extensive and detailed exploration and mining data from acquisition The parties will use AI tech to determine new copper-gold drill targets Special Report: Loyal Metals has joined forces with highly regarded Terra Search geologist Dr Simon Beams to unlock the potential of its Highway Reward copper-gold mine in north Queensland. Amongst the world's highest-grade copper mines, the project operated from 1987 to 2005 with historical production of 3.65Mt at 5.7% copper and 260kt at 4.5 g/t gold. Throughout the mine's 20-year dormancy, Terra Search has preserved a comprehensive and robust archive of both exploration and mining data — an invaluable foundation for revitalisation. And Dr Beams himself has over 38 years of hands-on experience at the mine and with the broader Mount Windsor Volcanic Belt – invaluable expertise at the company works to realise the full potential of the world-class copper-gold system. Loyal Metals (ASX:LLM)says this collaboration could unlock the remnant potential of the mine using advanced AI-powered mining software to create 3D geological models and identify promising exploration targets for drilling. Transforming legacy assets through innovation The company has $4.4m in funding to deploy modern exploration techniques at the project, which it believes could unearth the next generation of discoveries. 'Highway Reward is more than a historic mine - it's a proven, high-grade copper-gold system with significant untapped potential,' MD Adam Ritchie said. 'Engaging Dr. Simon Beams enables us to fast track the next phase of discoveries, combining unmatched local expertise, modern exploration tools, and a clear vision for revitalisation. 'With a comprehensive digital data set and $4.4 million in funding, Loyal Metals is well positioned to unlock significant value through targeted exploration.' Dr Beams says the project has immense untapped potential. It also holds a special place for him, having been there for the first discovery drill hole. 'Having guided this project through its early exploration, I've seen firsthand the richness of its geology,' he said. 'Now, we're bridging decades of hands-on knowledge with cutting-edge tools—AI, advanced geophysics, and 3D modeling—to fast-track new discoveries. 'This isn't just about revisiting old data; it's about rewriting the playbook with modern precision. 'We're not just revisiting a mine; we're setting a new standard for how legacy assets can be transformed through innovation.' This article was developed in collaboration with Loyal Metals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing. This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions. Originally published as Loyal Metals teams up with Dr Simon Beams to unlock Highway Reward copper-gold potential


West Australian
9 hours ago
- West Australian
ASX rollercoaster: After a major market melt-up, a reckoning looms
The Australian share market has been on something of a tear over the past few months, up 11 per cent since the depths of Donald Trump's Kamikaze tariff attack, cresting at an all-time high Friday. It's an impressive run given the economy is barely limping along, interest rates are only ever so slightly on the way down and the global economy is on tenterhooks. Such lofty heights amid persistent uncertainty suggest this bull run has more to do with FOMO than fundamentals and vis ulnerable to any hint of bad news. How else to explain a drop of as much as 2.9 per cent for our largest bank, CBA, 3.4 per cent nearly and 2.75 for ANZ and NAB? The sell-off has been sheeted home to the Japanese election, where the ruling Liberal Democratic Party lost its majority in the upper house of parliament. It's the first time there hasn't been a governing majority since 1955. Market watchers suggest it could derail Japan's economic trajectory, given its high debt levels. That issue seems a long way from Australian banks, which derive the majority of their revenues from domestic lending. Aussie banks were up 30 per cent for the financial year ended, driven by the 46 per cent gain for Commbank. Australia's largest bank has been seen as something of a safe haven in times of uncertainty, popular with domestic and international investors alike for its strong balance sheet and stable earnings. But the company is not shooting the lights out in terms of growth, meaning investors are pushing up company valuations without worrying if it is being met by associated profits. 'CBA is the extreme version of that. On Friday, it was at record levels, and this is despite several years of falling earnings and significant uncertainty around what may happen internationally with tariffs,' said AMP chief economist Shane Oliver. It might be that the FOMO trade is going elsewhere. While banks were sold, miners were gold, with Rio Tinto up 1.5 per cent, Fortescue 1.35 per cent and South 32 up 4.33 per cent. There may also be a bet building on China. Stronger oil and metals prices in recent weeks have stirred speculation Beijing could unleash new stimulus. The iron ore price hit a four-month high thanks to a Chinese plan to build a hydroelectric dam in Tibet. But the base metal has been on the upward slope for four weeks, not due to further stimulus talks however, but a forced consolidation of the sector. In a market that is on the hunt for good news, investors seem to be ready to bid on any opportunities. 'Maybe the market's stepping that out,' Dr Oliver said, though he cautioned that recent Chinese GDP data didn't support that optimism. 'There was nothing in there suggesting China's going to jump in with a big stimulus. I'm less optimistic than the market on that one.' A higher iron ore price will certainly be welcome for miners, but a lot of the market is still relying on a bump from the Reserve Bank cutting interest rates. While that will be positive for corporates, the market seems very confident. Across the ASX200 the price earnings ratio - a metric that shows how much investors are willing to pay for each dollar of a company's profit - is 23 times and well above the long term average of around 17. It is also heading higher, raising questions about whether investors are shovelling money into stocks beyond the bargain hunting in the wake of Trump's Liberation Day tariff announcement. 'Share markets aren't cheap anymore,' Dr Oliver said. 'Maybe they were back in April… but they're not cheap anymore. Valuation measures certainly suggest the market is somewhat expensive.' A similar story is playing out in the US, where the markets have hit new records. That is significantly driven by the dominant tech firms but also in the hope that two key events occur: The US Federal Reserve cuts interest rates, and Trump backs down on tariffs. US markets edged higher on suggestions by one Fed member that rates should be cut, even though Fed chair Powell has indicated no change until the tariff impact can be calculated. The other big hope is the TACO trade. Investors are banking on Trump Always Chickening Out, presuming he will cave in the face of economic fallout. It's a risky strategy, given the still very punitive tariff levies spelled out in recent letters. But the key indicator of market risk, the VIX measure of market volatility, is not much higher than before Trump came to office at 16.41. In April, when tariffs were announced, it spiked above 52. 'That's another indication of the extreme optimism around the TACO trade,' Dr Oliver said. That sets up the current earnings season as a key test of investor confidence. Companies will need to show profit growth that justifies their expanded multiples or risk sharp repricing. While investment firms are banking on those earnings staying benign, early signs suggest company insiders are already wary. According to data from just 10 per cent of corporate officers are buying their own company's stock. That is well below the 10-year average in the high 20s and far off the peaks above 40 per cent recorded in recent years. It leaves investors with quite the dilemma. Sit the current enthusiasm out and miss out on the steady melt up or bank on a combination of factors all working in unison: a tariff climbdown, a Fed rate cut, a Chinese stimulus, and no other destabilising factors. It's heady stuff, and at these levels, markets can easily run out of oxygen.