The ASX200 started November with a gain of more than three-quarters of a per cent (.85 of a per cent).
Most sectors were in the green. Real estate and health care both had strong runs.
In the green
BHP Group (ASX:BHP) was up 1.5 per cent – after a A$7.7 billion investment into its Jansen potash project expansion in Canada. Potash is a natural fertiliser and with production at the project due to start in 2026, BHP claims to be well-positioned to become one of the world’s leading producers.
BHP closed at $45.19.
Chalice Mining (ASX:CHN) added nearly nine per cent today after releasing its quarterly report, reporting it was armed with $130 million in cash and equivalents – enough funding for the next two years. Chalice made the Gonneville nickel, copper, and platinum group element discovery near Perth in Western Australia.
Chalice closed trade at $1.95.
And battery tech developer Novonix (ASX:NVX) ended today up more than 10 per cent – on news it’s been granted a A$158 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to expand domestic production of synthetic graphite anode – a material used in batteries – at its Riverside facility in Tennessee. That facility is due to begin production late next year.
NVX closed at 74.5 cents.
In the red
Origin Energy (ASX:ORG) rattled – losing more than half a per cent – as the $18.7 billion takeover bid by a North American consortium hit a hurdle. Origin’s largest shareholder, AustralianSuper, plans to reject the offer from Brookfield and EIG. AustralianSuper owns 13.7 per cent of Origin and argues the deal should be above $10 a share, while the offer on the table sits around $8.80.
Origin closed at $9.07.
WA-based security provider MCS Services (ASX:MSG) lost nearly 18 per cent after the retirement of its non-executive director of 7 years, Matthew Ward. Mr Ward has resigned to concentrate on other business and family commitments.
MSG closed at 1.4 cents.
And inflammation drug developer Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals (ASX:PAR) was down more than 30 per cent after announcing a $30 million raise priced at 43 cents to fund its phase three osteoarthritis clinical trial.
PAR shares fell to below the offer price, to end the day at 41.5 cents.