Author: openjargon

A fresh contract win is putting this ASX infrastructure stock back in focus on Friday.

Genusplus Group Ltd (ASX: GNP) shares are moving higher after the company released a new project update.

The stock is up 2.16% and touched an intraday high of $8.99. That continues a strong run, with the share price now up around 40% in 2026.

Here’s what came through.

New battery project contract secured

Genusplus has been awarded the Koolunga Battery Energy Storage System project in South Australia.

The contract covers engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning across both the balance of plant and battery installation.

The total contract value is approximately $110 million.

The project will deliver a 200MW/800MWh battery system, adding large-scale storage capacity to the grid.

It is located near Koolunga, north-east of Brinkworth, and will connect into South Australia’s electricity network.

Construction is expected to begin shortly, with completion targeted for September 2027.

Backing from major infrastructure investor

The project is owned by Equitix, a large infrastructure investor with a focus on energy and essential assets.

Genusplus will act as the turnkey contractor across the full delivery scope.

That gives it exposure across multiple stages of the project lifecycle, from design through to final commissioning.

The announcement also points to continued demand for battery storage as more renewable energy enters the grid.

Large-scale storage is becoming more important in balancing supply and demand, particularly in test markets such as South Australia.

Momentum building across the business

This latest contract adds to a growing pipeline of energy and infrastructure work.

Genusplus operates across transmission, distribution, and communications infrastructure.

And battery and grid-related projects are quickly becoming a larger part of that mix.

The company has been building exposure to energy transition work, including renewables and storage.

That shift is showing up in the share price performance over the past year, with the stock up over 220%.

At current levels, Genusplus has a market capitalisation of around $1.6 billion.

What the market is watching

The focus now turns to the delivery of the project.

Large contracts like this bring revenue visibility, but execution is what really matters.

Timing, cost control, and project delivery all feed into the company’s margins.

Furthermore, investors will also be watching how quickly new work comes through.

Battery storage is a growing segment, and competition for these projects is only increasing.

Genusplus is starting to build a track record in this space, which could help with future wins.

Foolish takeaway

The latest contract adds to a growing pipeline and shows the company is winning relevant work in energy infrastructure.

But share price already reflects a lot of that momentum after a strong run.

I’d be watching from here and would be more interested on a pullback or after a few more projects are completed.

The post This ASX stock just landed a $110 million battery project. Shares near record highs. appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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 GenusPlus Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended GenusPlus Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to end the week in the red. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 0.4% to 8,758 points.

Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back are listed below. Here’s why they are rising:

Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM)

The Newmont share price is up 1.5% to $156.84. This follows the release of the gold miner’s first-quarter update. The company achieved production of 1.5 million ounces of gold during the quarter, which was broadly in line with expectations. Newmont reported an average realised gold price of around US$2,944 per ounce, which underpinned net income of US$3.2 billion and adjusted EBITDA of US$5.2 billion. Looking ahead, for FY 2026, Newmont is still targeting 5.6 million ounces of gold with costs of US$1,650 per ounce on an all-in sustaining basis.

Nuix Ltd (ASX: NXL)

The Nuix share price is up 12% to $1.49. This has been driven by news that the Federal Court has dismissed the ASIC disclosure case against the investigative analytics and intelligence software provider. The company’s chair, Robert Mactier, said: “We are pleased that the Federal Court has resolved the allegations concerning Nuix’s early 2021 market disclosure and that the cases against both Nuix and the then directors of the company have been dismissed. We are committed to driving shareholder value, supporting our people and customers and using our products and services as a force for good.”

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)

The PLS share price is up almost 4% to $5.90. Investors have been buying this lithium miner’s shares following the release of a strong third-quarter update. The company posted a 12% quarter-on-quarter increase in spodumene concentrate production to 232.4kt. But the big positive was a 61% increase in its realised price to US$1,867 per tonne. This underpinned a 52% jump in revenue to A$567 million. And with costs reducing to A$520 per tonne, its cash margin from operations came in at A$461 million. This is up 178% quarter-on-quarter. PLS has reaffirmed its guidance for FY 2026. It expects production of 820kt to 870kt with unit operating costs of A$560 per tonne to A$600 per tonne.

Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL)

The Vulcan Energy share price is up 3% to $3.66. This follows news that the lithium developer has officially broken ground at its Lionheart lithium chemicals facility in Germany. The company notes that this marks the start of major construction at the site. Vulcan’s CEO, Cris Moreno, commented: “We are delighted to move beyond preparatory works and start full scale construction at our commercial lithium chemical plant. This groundbreaking event follows a similar ceremony held at our upstream lithium extraction plant in Landau late last year and highlights the progress towards our construction schedule and our 2028 commercial start of production target.”

The post Why Newmont, Nuix, PLS, and Vulcan Energy shares are rising today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Newmont, PLS and Fortescue shares are grabbing headlines on Friday
• Newmont shares jump again as record cash flow and buyback boost sentiment
• This ASX lithium stock is bouncing back today. Here’s why
• Guess which ASX tech stock is rocketing 22% on big news
• PLS shares jump 6% on record quarter and massive cash generation

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

Markets do not move in a straight line.

After a strong run, it is normal to see pullbacks. When they happen, I think it helps to already know which shares you would want to buy rather than reacting in the moment.

If the market dropped again, these are three ASX shares I would be looking at.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

CSL has already been through a tough period, with its share price still well below where it was a year ago.

That is part of the reason I would be interested in the biotech if there were further weakness.

The core of the business remains strong. CSL Behring continues to operate in plasma therapies, where demand is tied to chronic conditions that require ongoing treatment. That creates a recurring revenue base.

There is also a pipeline of products and ongoing investment in innovation that can support future growth.

If the share price were to fall further, I think it would start to look increasingly attractive relative to its long-term growth profile.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

REA Group is a different type of opportunity.

It sits at the centre of Australia’s property market through realestate.com.au. That gives it a strong position and pricing power over time.

The property cycle can move around, which can impact listings and short-term revenue. That is usually when the share price comes under pressure.

But over longer periods, REA has shown an ability to grow earnings by increasing yields per listing and expanding its product offering.

A share market pullback would not change that. It would simply give investors a chance to buy a high-quality ASX share at a lower price.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie is one I keep an eye on during volatility.

Earnings can move around depending on market conditions, particularly in areas like asset management and commodities trading. That tends to create swings in the share price.

Macquarie has built a global business across infrastructure, energy, and asset management. It has multiple earnings streams and a track record of finding new opportunities.

When markets fall, those cyclical earnings concerns often come to the surface. That can create opportunities to buy into the business at more reasonable valuations.

Foolish takeaway

Market pullbacks are not always comfortable, but they can create opportunities.

The key, I think, is knowing which businesses you would want to own before prices fall.

For me, CSL, REA Group, and Macquarie are three examples of high-quality ASX shares that I would be happy to buy if the market gave me another chance at a cheaper price.

The post 3 ASX shares I’d buy if the market dropped again appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Can the beaten-down CSL share price ever reach $300 again?
• 5 ASX 200 shares with renewed buy ratings this week
• CSL’s collapse deepens. Why this ASX giant can’t find a floor
• Prediction: CSL shares could surpass $265 in 2026
• Are ASX healthcare shares the next to rally?

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in CSL. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) shares are pushing higher on Friday after the gold giant released its first-quarter results for 2026.

The stock is up 2.87% to $158.91 at the time of writing, continuing a strong run that has seen it climb around 20% over the past month.

Here’s a closer look at how the company performed in the 3 months to 31 March.

Record cash flow and earnings lift

Newmont reported a strong start to the year, supported by higher realised gold prices and steady production.

The company produced 1.5 million attributable gold ounces during the quarter, broadly in line with expectations.

Average realised gold prices came in at around US$2,944 per ounce, which helped drive a clear lift in margins.

That flowed through to earnings and cash generation.

Net income reached US$3.2 billion, while adjusted EBITDA came in at US$5.2 billion.

More notably, free cash flow hit a record US$3.1 billion for the quarter.

Operating cash flow was also strong at US$3.8 billion, even after working capital movements.

Shareholder returns step up

The balance sheet strength has allowed Newmont to return more capital to shareholders.

During the quarter, the company delivered US$2.7 billion in total returns through dividends and share buybacks.

It also confirmed a quarterly dividend of US$0.25 per share.

On top of that, management approved an additional US$3 billion share buyback program.

That sits alongside an existing program, with total buybacks now lifted to US$6 billion.

Costs improve as operations stabilise

Costs moved in the right direction during the quarter.

Gold all-in sustaining costs (AISC) came in at US$1,029 per ounce, down from the prior quarter.

Gold costs applicable to sales (CAS) also declined to US$903 per ounce.

The improvement was driven by stronger by-product credits and steady operating performance across key sites.

There were still some softer spots.

Production was lower at certain operations, including Boddington, following weather disruptions and maintenance.

Despite this, Newmont’s broader cost profile is starting to look more stable.

Guidance holds, with second-half weighted

Full-year guidance has been left unchanged following the March quarter update.

Newmont is still targeting around 5.6 million ounces of attributable gold production for 2026.

Costs are expected to sit near US$1,650 per ounce on an all-in sustaining basis.

What stands out is how the year is expected to unfold.

Production is weighted toward the second-half, with higher grades and stronger volumes expected across several operations later in the year.

That timing is fairly typical for Newmont, but it does mean a larger share of output is still to come.

Foolish bottom line

This was a strong result, driven largely by higher gold prices and a big lift in cash flow.

More of that cash is now being returned to shareholders, which is starting to stand out.

The second-half will matter more, with production expected to build and costs needing to hold where they are.

From my side, I’d still be watching the gold price as much as the operations.

If pricing stays where it is, the outlook looks solid. If it pulls back, sentiment could shift just as quickly.

The post Newmont shares jump again as record cash flow and buyback boost sentiment appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Newmont, PLS and Fortescue shares are grabbing headlines on Friday
• Why Newmont, Nuix, PLS, and Vulcan Energy shares are rising today
• Newmont declares quarterly dividend for ASX investors
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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.

This week, Infrastructure technology stock ikeGPS Ltd (ASX: IKE) delivered a positive fourth quarter report, which the analyst team at Shaw and Partners says backs up their buy recommendation on the company.

Infrastructure play

So what does ikeGPS actually do?

The company offers software products which help infrastructure companies analyse and manage poles and overhead assets, with their customers including electric utilities, communications companies and engineering services companies.

In the company’s fourth quarter report released this week, management made the case that they were well-placed to take advantage of major economic trends.

As they said:

IKE operates at the intersection of several of the most powerful structural investment cycles in the North American economy. US electric utility capital expenditure is projected at between US$1.1 trillion and US$1.4 trillion from 2025 to 2030 — approximately US$194 billion in 2025 alone, growing at an 8.5% five-year CAGR. The United States electric grid must scale from providing 20% to 50% of national energy capacity by 2050.

The company said much of this capital would be in distribution, which was where ikeGPS operates.

They added:

Layered on top of grid capacity investment, 130 million wooden poles across North America are approaching the 45-to-50-year failure threshold. Up to 35 million poles will require replacement or reinforcement by 2035. Severe weather events now account for 80% of major US outages. The requirement for digital pole intelligence is not discretionary — it is increasingly mandated for reliability and resiliency compliance by regulators, by utilities themselves, and by the federal grant programmes investing in distribution network modernisation.

Strong growth forecast

In its update this week ikeGPS reported that it had delivered 33% growth in platform subscription revenue over its full year to the end of March, with revenue coming in at NZ$19.2 million.

The company said it achieved positive EBITDA in the month of March and was expecting another strong year going forward.

As the company said:

We believe IKE enters FY27 with strong momentum across subscription revenue growth, product development, customer acquisition, and market positioning. We expect platform subscription revenue in FY27 at similar growth rates to those achieved in FY26. Our balance sheet is strong, our pipeline is strong, our two new customer council-led products are progressing on plan, and the macro tailwinds underpinning our market are strengthening, not weakening.

Shares looking cheap

Shaw and Partners said in a note to its clients this week that the guidance for similar growth to last year “puts IKE in a rare category”.

The broker has a buy recommendation on ikeGPS with a high risk rating, and a price target of $1.40, compared with the current price of 92 cents.

The post This under the radar ASX tech company could deliver almost 50% returns: Broker appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Newmont, PLS and Fortescue shares are grabbing headlines on Friday
• This ASX stock just landed a $110 million battery project. Shares near record highs.
• Why Newmont, Nuix, PLS, and Vulcan Energy shares are rising today
• 3 ASX shares I’d buy if the market dropped again
• Newmont shares jump again as record cash flow and buyback boost sentiment

Motley Fool contributor Cameron England 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 ikeGPS Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ikeGPS Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) shares have had a shocker of a week after the massive earnings downgrade the company announced on Wednesday, raising the question, is it time to buy back in?

Shareholders wearing the pain

To put the scale of this week’s fall into raw numbers, the shares are down almost 45% to $92.91 on Friday, from levels close to $170 on Tuesday.

The shares have traded in a wide range over the past year, at one stage changing hands for $319.56, while they hit a 12-month low of $91.33 in recent days.

The enormity of this week’s share price rout is no great surprise when you look at what the company announced to the market.

The hearing implant maker said on Wednesday it now expected its underlying net profit to come in at $290-$300 million, down from a previous range of $435-$460 million.

The company went on to say:

Since January trading conditions for cochlear implants in developed markets have been softer than expected, with revenue flat for the quarter in constant currency. Near term surgical volumes have been affected by a combination of hospital capacity constraints and reduced referral activity from the hearing aid channel. Consumer sentiment has declined in key markets, reaching historic lows in the US. The decline appears to be affecting discretionary healthcare decisions in the adults and seniors segment, adding to demand uncertainty in the near term.  

Cochlear said surgical volumes had been “constrained” in Western Europe, “resulting in growing waiting lists for surgery in markets including the UK and Germany, while industrial action in Italy and Spain has restricted surgical throughput”.

The US had been trading in line with expectations until mid-February, Cochlear said, with volumes then declining in March.

Shares look oversold

So what do the brokers think for Cochlear’s fortunes going forward?

I’ve had a look at recent research reports from the teams at Jarden and Macquarie, and while they both see upside from current levels, their price targets vary dramatically.

The Jarden team said Cochlear management had previously been targeting a net profit after tax margin of 18%, but they were now indicating it would take “a number of years” to recover to this level.

Jarden has reduced its expectations for earnings from the company out to FY28, but added that the shares were now looking cheap.

As the Jarden team said:

Cochlear’s share price reaction seems overdone but is also appropriate given Cochlear’s limited line of sight around earnings. Further, we continue to struggle to see how Cochlear is regaining lost share and expect further softness to continue into FY27 as the competition appears to be capturing share via price. We maintain our Neutral rating.  

Despite their reservations around the company’s prospects, Jarden has a share price target of $169 on Cochlear shares, reduced from $224.

Macquarie has a much more conservative price target on Cochlear shares, while also having a neutral rating.

Macquarie’s 12-month price target is $115, with that having been reduced from $239.

Cochlear is currently valued at $6.51 billion.

The post How high could Cochlear shares bounce back? Brokers disagree appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX 200 shares too cheap to ignore after sell-offs
• Could these ASX stocks really be set to double after crashing this week?
• 2 ASX 200 shares newly upgraded this week
• What is Morgans saying about Cochlear and Northern Star shares?
• 5 ASX 200 shares with renewed buy ratings this week

Motley Fool contributor Cameron England 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 Cochlear and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) shares are in the spotlight today after the iron ore giant released its quarterly update.

But the ASX iron ore stock that investors should be focusing more on is Fenix Resources Ltd (ASX: FEX), according to analysts at Bell Potter.

That’s because they believe this iron ore miner’s shares are significantly undervalued at current levels.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter was impressed with Fenix’s performance during the third quarter, highlighting that production and sales were ahead of expectations despite the impact of Tropical Cyclone Narelle on operations. It said:

FEX reported quarterly group iron ore production of 1,243kt (BPe 955kt) and sales of 974kt (BPe. 955kt) at an average realised price of US$101/dmt CFR (A$146/dmt; BPe US$97/t), a 2% discount to the 61% Fe benchmark index. Group C1 cash costs were A$70/t (BPe A$78/t), down 7% QoQ. Stockpiles were drawn to support sales following impacts of Tropical Cyclone Narelle, with two shipments (~120kt) deferred into April 2026 due to the temporary Geraldton Port closure.

At 31 March 2026, FEX had cash of $86m (31 December 2025 $79m); we estimate debt (including leases) of around $74m. Key quarterly cash flows include: Operating cash flow +$18m; iron ore prepayments +$13m; capex -$11m; and debt repayments -$8m.

Another positive is that the ASX iron ore stock has reaffirmed its upgraded guidance for the full year despite diesel shortages. It adds:

FEX has maintained guidance (upgraded December 2025) of 4.2-4.8Mt sales at average C1 cash cost of A$70-80/wmt. The company is confident it will maintain sufficient diesel supply for all operational activities. However, costs are expected to rise in the current quarter with higher fuel and freight rates.

At the Beebyn Hub, construction of a new 5Mtpa crushing and screening facility is underway and mining is ramping up as Iron Ridge and Shine near the end of current mine plans. Several workstreams are underway at the broader Weld Range Project aiming to optimise the mine plan and product mix, and advance the permitting pathway ahead of the release of a Definitive Feasibility Study scheduled for 2H CY26.

Big potential returns

According to the note, Bell Potter has retained its buy rating and 63 cents price target on Fenix Resources’ shares.

Based on its current share price of 34 cents, this implies potential upside of 85% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, the broker said:

FEX has outlined a clear pathway to incrementally grow iron ore production to 10Mtpa at significantly lower unit costs, leveraging its integrated logistics network to underpin cash flows and fund its substantial organic growth outlook. FEX holds the largest storage position at the strategic and fast-growing Geraldton Port.

The post Guess which ASX iron ore stock could rise 85% (hint, not Fortescue shares) appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why are Fortescue shares falling today?
• Fortescue invests $680m in Pilbara Green Energy Project
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Up 67% in a year! The red-hot South32 share price is smashing BHP, Rio and Fortescue

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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.

At time of writing in morning trade on Friday, all of the big four S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) bank stocks are in the red.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) share are down 0.7% at $172.12; Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares are down 0.9% at $38.77; ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) shares are down 0.3% at $36.04; and National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) shares are down 0.5% at $40.14.

So, which ASX 200 bank stock is shaking off the wider selling pressure that sees the benchmark index down 0.3% at this same time?

If you said Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO) shares, give yourself a virtual gold star. Judo shares are currently changing hands for $1.39 apiece, up 0.7%.

Here’s why the challenger bank is grabbing investor interest today.

ASX 200 bank stock reaffirms FY 2026 profit guidance

Judo Bank shares are outperforming in Friday morning trade following a year-to-date performance update.

The ASX 200 bank stock reported gross loans and advances of $13.8 billion as at 31 March, up 3.0% quarter-on-quarter. And total deposits increased to $11.5 billion.

The March quarter also saw an improvement in Judo Bank’s net interest margin (NIM), which increased by 0.12% from its first half average to 3.15%.

As for what’s ahead, the bank reaffirmed its full year FY 2026 profit before tax guidance to be in the range of $180 million to $190 million.

However, the ASX 200 bank stock noted that it now expects to see profits come in at the lower end of this range. That comes after Judo increased its collective provisions coverage to 0.94% of loans as of the end of the March quarter, up from 0.89% at the end of the December quarter.

What did Judo Bank management say?

“While our customer base remains in good financial health, we have prudently chosen to strengthen our forward looking collective provision in recognition of ongoing uncertainty for the outlook,” Judo CEO Chris Bayliss said.

Looking to what might impact the ASX 200 bank stock in the months ahead, Bayliss added:

Notwithstanding the provision increase, we are still on track to deliver FY26 profit before tax within our original guidance range, albeit towards the lower end.

This continues to represent significant operating leverage, underpinned by strong lending, favourable funding conditions and disciplined cost management, and demonstrates strong progress towards our at-scale target of low-to-mid teens ROE.

The post Guess which ASX 200 bank stock is pushing higher on Friday (hint, not CBA shares) appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Judo Capital reaffirms FY26 profit guidance as lending growth continues
• Forget CBA shares — here are 2 ASX bank shares I’d rather own right now
• This is the only ASX bank stock I’d keep in my portfolio
• Why experts think this ASX bank share can rise 58% in a year!
• ASX bank stocks: Buy, sell, or hold?

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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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.

Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL) shares are back on the move on Friday after a new update landed before the market open.

The stock is up 4.2% to $3.69 at the time of writing, after reversing some of the weakness seen earlier this year.

Even with today’s lift, the shares remain down around 15% in 2026.

Here’s what is driving the move.

Ground broken at key European project

According to the release, Vulcan has officially broken ground at its Lionheart lithium chemicals facility in Frankfurt, Germany.

This marks the start of major construction at the site, which sits within one of Europe’s largest industrial and chemical hubs.

The ceremony included German state officials and industry representatives, pointing to continued government backing for domestic lithium supply.

Lionheart is central to Vulcan’s broader strategy. It is designed to convert lithium chloride into battery-grade lithium hydroxide, targeting supply into the European electric vehicle market.

A project built around scale and integration

The update also highlights the scale of the development.

The facility is expected to produce around 24,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide per year once fully ramped. That is enough to support roughly 500,000 electric vehicles annually.

The project sits within a broader integrated system.

Upstream, lithium is extracted from geothermal brines using direct lithium extraction technology. Downstream, it is refined into battery-grade material at the central plant.

The process also generates renewable energy as a by-product. This is expected to support operations and feed into local energy markets.

Funding and timeline already in place

Vulcan said it has secured 2.2 billion euros in funding for Phase One of Lionheart.

The company is targeting a final investment decision (FID) in 2025, with production forming part of its first commercial phase in the Upper Rhine Valley.

This milestone follows earlier approvals tied to construction at the central processing facility.

With groundwork now underway, the project is moving out of planning and into execution.

Foolish takeaway

The move today follows a clear step forward on the project.

Breaking ground is a visible sign of progress for a project that has been in development for several years.

It also adds weight to the company’s position as a potential European lithium supplier, with supply chain security still a focus across the region.

The share price reaction suggests investors are watching how quickly Lionheart moves through construction and into production.

Early construction progress is likely to remain a key focus in the coming quarters.

From here, it’s about getting the build done on time and on budget.

The post This ASX lithium stock is bouncing back today. Here’s why appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why Navigator Global, St Barbara, Vulcan Energy, and Zip shares are racing higher today
• This ASX lithium stock is rising after making a big announcement
• Why this ASX stock is slipping today even as it lands a German project win
• Could these ASX stocks double by the end of 2026?

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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.

Nuix Ltd (ASX: NXL) shares are ending the week with a bang.

This morning, the ASX tech stock has returned from a trading halt and has rocketed higher.

At the time of writing, the investigative analytics and intelligence software provider’s shares are up 22% to $1.63.

Why is this ASX tech stock rocketing?

Investors have been fighting to get hold of Nuix shares on Friday after the company won its court battle with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

The corporate regulator took legal action against Nuix, alleging that it was engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct by making announcements to the Australian share market or by failing to disclose particular information to the ASX in connection with its financial performance.

With respect to its FY 2021 first-half annual contract value (ACV), ASIC said:

(1) Nuix’s ACV was $161.9 million; (2) Nuix’s ACV was $17.1 million, or approximately 9.6 per cent, less than the ACV Nuix expected in order to achieve the Prospectus ACV Forecast; and (3) the primary reason Nuix missed its forecast for ACV at the end of 1HFY21 was that Subscription ACV at the end of 1HFY21 was $17.7 million less than the forecast figure for Subscription ACV.

ASIC alleges that the non-disclosure of the 1HFY21 ACV Result was conduct engaged in by Nuix that was misleading or deceptive because there existed a reasonable expectation of disclosure of the 1HFY21 ACV Result in circumstances where during the period 18 January to 25 February 2021: (1)    the Prospectus ACV Forecast caused, or contributed to, market expectations of: (i) year on year growth in ACV of approximately 20 per cent during FY21; (ii) an ACV at the end of 1HFY21 significantly higher than $162 million; (2) Nuix was aware of such market expectations; and (3)    Nuix was aware of the 1HFY21 ACV Result, which reflected year on year growth in ACV of 3 per cent (compared to the ACV of $157 million at the end of 1HFY20), and a decline in ACV since the end of FY20.

The good news for Nuix shareholders is that the Federal Court has sided with Nuix and has ordered ASIC to pay all legal costs. However, the regulator does have a period of time to consider whether it will appeal the decision.

Nuix response

The ASX tech stock’s chair, Robert Mactier, was pleased with the court outcome. He said:

We are pleased that the Federal Court has resolved the allegations concerning Nuix’s early 2021 market disclosure and that the cases against both Nuix and the then directors of the company have been dismissed. We are committed to driving shareholder value, supporting our people and customers and using our products and services as a force for good.

The post Guess which ASX tech stock is rocketing 22% on big news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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