TMH Spotlight: ASX edges higher, energy leading the gains


The ASX is trading slightly higher in early afternoon trade with six out of 11 sectors in the red.

IT took the biggest hit, falling more than two per cent, while the energy sector surged, up two per cent.

In company news, renewable energy and lithium producer Vulcan Energy Resources (VUL) has unveiled plans to use more sustainable lithium extraction and supply methods from its Lithium Brine project in the Upper Rhine Valley of Germany.

The Absorption Direct Lithium Extract process allows for cleaner downstream lithium processing with no need for acid, with a water wash to be used.

Vulcan was trading at just under $4.

And energy giant AGL has slipped more than 3.5 per cent after posting a $1.26 billion loss.

The company says forced plant outages and volatile energy market conditions contributed to substantial losses.

Shares were hovering around $11.14.

In materials, Raiden Resources (RDN) kicks off pegmatite and lithium sampling and mapping exploration at its Roebourne, Arrow and Mount Sholl projects in Western Australia.

Shares jumped more than 18 per cent to 1.3 cents.

Also in financials, AMP (AMP) recorded a statutory net profit after tax of $261 million for 1H23, much lower compared to the $469 million posted in 1H22.

Despite the news, shares rose around three per cent to $1.13.

Meanwhile, in healthcare, Clarity Pharmaceuticals (CU6) has gained 1.7 per cent after increasing the dosage in its prostate cancer trial and advancing to a third cohort.

Previous results from cohort two showed a “remarkable” reduction in Prostate Specific Agent levels within weeks of a single dose.

Clarity was trading around 90 cents.


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