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The ASX200 closed up 0.45 of a per cent with all sectors in the green and the price of gold hitting an all-time record.
The IT sector led gains, up almost 1.2 per cent. Utilities followed, in the ascendancy just shy of a per cent.
Today we’ve had a closer look atTorque Metals, BlinkLab, Suncorp Group, Environmental Clean Technologies, Excite Technology Services and Botala Energy.
In the green
Torque Metals (ASX: TOR) surged 25 per cent, after the company announced it will extend exploration efforts at its Paris gold project in Western Australia.
Previous campaigns have revealed mineralisation, of intercepts of 35 meters at 14.12 grams per tonne of gold and 41 meters at 5.93 grams per tonne of gold.
The extension aims to capitalize on the project’s gold potential through upcoming drilling programs.
This comes as gold prices broke through US$2300 an ounce for the first time.
TOR closed the day at 15 cents.
Today’s ASX debutant, BlinkLab (ASX:BB1) gained 32.5 per cent on its first day of trading.
The company’s flagship product is technology that uses an AI-driven smartphone app to screen for autism and ADHD.
It raised $7 million with 20 cent shares through the IPO process.
Blinklab trades under the code BB1.
BB1 closed the day at 26.5 cents.
Queensland-based bank Suncorp Group (ASX:SUN) was up nearly half a per cent on the sale of its New Zealand life insurance arm, Asteron Life, to Resolution Life, a holding company of Resolution Life Group in Australia and New Zealand.
The deal, valued at A$375.4 million, includes an initial payment of A$228.9 million upon completion, with the remainder to be settled 18 months later
SUN closed the day at $16.41.
In the red
Environmental Clean Technologies (ASX:ECT) dropped 20 per cent, on a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ESG Agriculture (ESG) for the offtake of soil health products using the net-zero COLDry process.
The joint venture aims to meet market demand for sustainable alternatives while driving growth in the agricultural sector.
ECT closed the day at 4 cents.
Cyber security developer, Excite Technology Services (ASX:EXT) shed 25 per cent on raising $1 million through a placement priced at 8 cents.
Funds raised will provide working capital to fund further investment in the Group’s partner alliance and development in AI initiatives to support enhanced customer delivery.
EXT closed at 1 cent.
Botala Energy (ASX:BTE) shares fell 11 per cent, despite the company acquiring the remaining 30% stake in the Serowe CBM project in Botswana from Pure Hydrogen Corporation (ASX:PH2)
Pure Hydrogen will receive 14.5 million fully paid ordinary shares in two instalments, along with a payment of $750,000
The joint venture is designed to position the company’s as key players in the Southern African renewable energy landscape.
BTE closed the day at 8 cents.
