As of 1:10 pm AEST [28 April]
The Australian share market remains firmly in positive territory this afternoon, with the S&P/ASX 200 gaining 64.80 points or 0.81%, now trading at 8,033.00. The market has extended earlier gains, supported by strength in Information Technology, Health Care, and Energy stocks.
ASX 200 Performance as of 1:10 PM AEST, 28 April [ASX.com.au]
Market Overview
The S&P/ASX 200 continues to build momentum, driven by upbeat sentiment across most sectors. While the index has advanced 2.71% over the last five days, it still remains 1.57% lower for the year to date.
Notably, 10 out of 11 sectors are trading higher, showing broad-based participation in today’s rally. Materials remains the only sector in the red, down 0.67%.
New Leaders: Orthocell and Synlait Milk Surge
The top gainers board has shifted since this morning, with a new set of companies taking the lead:
- Orthocell Ltd (ASX: OCC) tops the list, surging 6.98% to $1.38.
- Synlait Milk Ltd (ASX: SM1) has jumped 6.67% to $0.72.
- Dimerix Ltd (ASX: DXB) is up 6.59% at $0.485.
- Energy One Ltd (ASX: EOL) has gained 6.39% to $12.65.
- PYC Therapeutics Ltd (ASX: PYC) has risen 5.83% to $1.18.
Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1), one of the earlier leaders, continues to perform strongly, up 5.68% to $11.075.
Other standout performers include Droneshield Ltd (ASX: DRO) (+5.81%) and BCI Minerals Ltd (ASX: BCI) (+5.66%).
The leadership shift highlights strong buying interest across biotech, technology, and energy-related sectors.
Biggest Fallers: Bravura Solutions Sinks
On the downside, the list of major fallers has also changed:
- Bravura Solutions Ltd (ASX: BVS) has plunged 12.56% to $1.95, making it the worst performer so far.
- Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR) is down 9.84% to $2.75.
- Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Ltd (ASX: HTA) is off by 8.33% at $0.022.
- WIA Gold Ltd (ASX: WIA) has fallen 7.50% to $0.185.
- Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6), which was the top faller earlier, remains weak, now down 7.42% at $2.12.
Other notable laggards include St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) (-6.90%) and Adriatic Metals Plc (ASX: ADT) (-6.59%).
Sector Performance: Tech Strengthens Further
Sector-wise, the rally has broadened slightly, with Information Technology strengthening further:
- Information Technology leads the gains, up 2.31%.
- Health Care is stronger by 1.97%.
- Energy continues its advance, up 1.79%.
- Discretionary, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Financials are all firmly higher.
Meanwhile, Materials remains the only sector in decline, albeit the losses have narrowed slightly to 0.67%.
ASX Sector Performance [Market Index]
AS OF 28 April 2025 | 12:19 pm AEST
The Australian share market is enjoying a strong session today, with the S&P/ASX 200 up by 62.60 points or 0.79%, trading at 8,030.80 as of midday. Positive momentum across most sectors has contributed to the upbeat tone, with Information Technology and Health Care stocks leading the way.
ASX Performance as of 28 April 2025, 12:19 pm AEST [Source: ASX.com.au]
Market Overview
The S&P/ASX 200 has seen a healthy lift today, building on recent gains. Over the past five trading sessions, the index has climbed 2.71%, reflecting growing investor optimism despite a softer performance over the calendar year to date, down 1.57%.
Across the broader market, 10 out of 11 sectors are trading higher. Only the Materials sector is dragging, falling by 0.77% as commodity prices soften.
Top Performers: Tech and Resource Stocks Shine
Among today’s top performers are Megaport Limited (ASX: MP1) and ALS Limited (ASX: ALQ).
- Megaport Limited is leading the charge, rising 4.58% to $10.96. The network-as-a-service provider continues to benefit from strong demand for cloud connectivity solutions.
- ALS Limited is up 3.78% at $16.345, buoyed by positive investor sentiment following robust quarterly earnings.
Other notable gainers include:
- NEXTDC Limited (ASX: NXT), up 3.60% to $11.52
- Iluka Resources Limited (ASX: ILU), gaining 3.40% to $3.95
- Zip Co Limited (ASX: ZIP), rising 3.28% to $1.73
The strength in Information Technology (+2.09%) and Discretionary sectors (+1.76%) reflects renewed appetite for growth stocks as bond yields stabilise.
Biggest Decliners: Pharmaceuticals in Focus
On the downside, pharmaceutical stocks have weighed on the index:
- Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6) has tumbled 9.83% to $2.065, amid heavy trading volume.
- Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: TLX) has dropped 5.46% to $27.00, despite no major announcements.
Other notable laggards include:
- Brambles Limited (ASX: BXB), down 5.36% to $19.76
- Regis Resources Limited (ASX: RRL), slipping 4.90% to $4.365
- Ramelius Resources Limited (ASX: RMS), down 4.65% to $2.46
Brambles’ fall comes despite its typically defensive profile, suggesting profit-taking after recent strong performances.
Volume Movers: High Trading Activity
Today’s session has seen several volume outliers, indicating heightened investor interest:
- Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC) recorded a massive 1,286% surge in trading volume, with 4.92 million shares changing hands.
- Brambles Limited (ASX: BXB) and Clarity Pharmaceuticals (ASX: CU6) also saw significant volume spikes, up 276% and 275% respectively.
- Flight Centre Travel Group Limited (ASX: FLT) and Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: TLX) posted volume increases of 273% and 266%.
Such volume activity often signals either strong institutional buying or selling, or reactions to underlying news events or broader sector movements.
Sector Performance: Broad-Based Gains
ASX Sector Performance [Source: Market Index]
It has been a day of mostly green across the sector board:
- Information Technology is today’s top performing sector, gaining 2.09%.
- Health Care is not far behind, rising 1.82%, while Discretionary (up 1.76%) and Energy (up 1.70%) sectors are also posting strong gains.
- Telecommunications (+1.35%), Utilities (+1.26%), and Financials (+1.07%) are all contributing to the index’s strength.
- Real Estate (+0.96%), Staples (+0.89%) and Industrials (+0.12%) round out the positive performers.
The only sector lagging is Materials, down 0.77%, as falling commodity prices, particularly iron ore and gold, pressure major miners.
Looking Ahead
Today’s positive tone on the ASX is reflective of broader global sentiment, with investors cautiously optimistic about economic resilience and the prospect of central banks holding interest rates steady in the near term.
However, with key earnings reports and inflation data expected later this week, markets may see increased volatility. Traders will be keeping a close eye on both local corporate results and offshore developments, particularly in the US and China.
For now, the bulls are in control, and Australian equities are enjoying a much-needed rebound after a volatile start to the year.
