The ASX200 closed down nearly half a per cent (0.46) this afternoon.
The Materials and Energy sectors finished in the green, both up more than a third of a per cent.
IT fell the most, down 1.75% and Real Estate shed about a per cent as fears the Middle East conflict will drive inflation higher, lessened the chances of interest rates cuts.
The big news today is that Channel 10 and Lisa Wilkinson have successfully defended Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case as Justice Lee ruled it was ‘more likely than not’ that the rape allegations aired on The Project were true.
But it’s Channel 7 that’s taken a hit on market, down another 2.6% today to 18.5 cents, bruised after last week’s evidence by its former producer Taylor Auerbach around the lengths the station went to in order to secure an exclusive interview with Lehrmann. Auerbach’s manager at the time, Mark Llewellyn, has left Channel 7.
In the green
DRO
Droneshield Limited (ASX:DRO) Share Price | Latest News – The Market Online gained 13 per cent on its business update for the quarter until the end of March.
The company reported revenue of $16.4 million, up 10 times compared to the $1.6 million revenue for the same period last year.
This was driven by the US Government orders, with full payments due this quarter.
DRO closed the day at 95c
PLL
Piedmont Lithium Inc. (ASX:PLL) Share Price | Latest News – The Market Online surged 39 per cent following the approval of a mining permit for its Carolina Lithium project in the US.
The company aims to be vertically integrated, right through to production of lithium hydroxide.
Construction at the project will begin once all necessary permits, rezoning approvals and project financing are secured.
PLL closed the day at 28.5c.
OZM
Ozaurum Resources Limited (ASX:OZM) Share Price | Latest News – The Market Online gained 12.5% – off a low base – on beginning diamond drilling at its Boca Rica Lithium Project in Brazil, overcoming earlier disruptions caused by heavy rainfall.
The project holds known Lithium-Caesium-Tantalum (LCT) pegmatite swarms, extending up to 1.7 kilometres along strike.
OZM closed the day at 4.5 cents.
In the red
HCH
Hot Chili Limited (ASX:HCH) Share Price | Latest News – The Market Online closed down 0.4% after a rough afternoon on market, which came as the company said it was closer to securing a water supply for its Chilean copper mining projects.
The company submitted a ‘second’ maritime concession application for a multi-user water network in the Huasco valley which is in the Atacama region.
It plans to consolidate all water assets into a standalone company.
HCH closed the day at $1.24.
ASN
Anson Resources (ASX: ASN) slipped 4 per cent, despite producing its first lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) from its Green River Sample Demonstration Plant in Utah, in the US.
The lithium carbonate was from brine sourced from the nearby Paradox Lithium Project, but the program is in preparation for brines to be received from a nearby well.
ASN closed the day at 12 cents.
Minbos Resources Limited (ASX:MNB) Share Price | Latest News – The Market Online
The project’s key components are in place, and Phase 1 construction is set to start soon focusing on earthworks, civils, and drainage.
MNB closed the day at 7.9 cents.