Why is everyone talking about Megaport, Ampol and Northern Star shares on Wednesday?

Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD), Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) shares are turning heads today.

As we eye the Wednesday lunch hour, two of the ASX 200 heavyweights are charging ahead of the 0.4% gains posted by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) while one remains in a trading halt.

Here’s what’s capturing investor interest.

Northern Star shares leap on gold resource boost

Northern Star shares are up 5.3% at time of writing, changing hands for $22.15 apiece.

This strong performance follows the release of the ASX 200 gold stock’s mineral resource and reserve estimate update.

Northern Star reported that its total mineral resources increased by 18.2 million ounces of gold to 88.9 million ounces, after mining depletion.

And the Aussie gold miner’s ore reserves increased by 6.1 million ounces of gold to 28.4 million ounces.

Northern Star shares also look to be catching investor interest, with the miner revealing that it was able to grow its resource at a low-end discovery cost averaging less than $23 per ounce.

Commenting on the growth, Northern Star managing director Stuart Tonkin said:

For the first time, the Hemi Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves have been reported under the Northern Star methodology and economic framework, establishing a consistent, portfolio-wide approach that enhances comparability and underpins future growth opportunities.

Ampol shares gain on ACCC acquisition greenlight

Ampol is also grabbing investor interest today.

Ampol shares are up 2.5% at $34.63 each after the Aussie fuel supplier announced that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has approved Ampol’s acquisition of fuel and convenience retailer EG Australia.

The company noted that the approval is conditional on Ampol’s divestment of 41 sites. Ampol said it has entered into a binding agreement to sell the 41 sites to Metro Petroleum.

Citing its strong balance sheet, Ampol said it will cash settle the scrip component of the purchase price. The seller of EG Australia will receive a net cash consideration of approximately $1.115 billion.

“This transaction is a major step in delivering Ampol’s strategy by strengthening our retail network and enhancing our segmented customer offer,” Ampol CEO Matt Halliday said.

Ampol expects to complete the acquisition of EG Australia on 30 June.

Which brings us to…

Megaport shares in second day of trading halt

Joining Ampol and Northern Star shares in making waves today we find Megaport.

Shares in the ASX 200 network services company entered a trading halt yesterday and remain frozen today as the company conducts an $827 million capital raising via a fully underwritten entitlement offer.

Today, the company also reported that is has inked four new AI infrastructure contracts valued at $459 million.

Megaport also narrowed its full year FY 2026 revenue guidance range to between $307 million and $315 million.

The post Why is everyone talking about Megaport, Ampol and Northern Star shares on Wednesday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Acrow, Ampol, Medallion Metals, and Northern Star shares are racing higher
• Ampol shares jump as $1.1 billion deal clears a major hurdle
• 2 major ASX gold companies which can go much higher according to brokers
• Why are Northern Star shares jumping 8% today?
• Megaport shares in focus amid $458.9m AI contract wins and capital raising

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Megaport. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.