Australian shares traded lower at midday, with the S&P/ASX 200 dropping 0.59% to 9,154.80 at 12:43 PM AEST. Eight of the 11 sectors were weaker as investors worked through a busy reporting session. Commonwealth Bank fell as investors took profits following Wednesday’s better-than-expected result, while Telstra weighed on communications after reporting lower full-year revenue. ANZ gained following its quarterly update despite flagging a double-digit fall in mortgage applications, while utilities were the standout sector. Origin Energy rallied after reporting stronger profit and energy market earnings. The local weakness followed a mostly positive Wall Street session after softer US inflation data eased expectations for further Federal Reserve rate rises.
In small cap company news,
SportsHero signs Razer agreement to expand HeroPlay gaming platform
SportsHero (ASX:SHO) has signed an agreement with Razer to distribute more than 1,000 gaming-related digital products and services through its HeroPlay platform. The range includes top-up vouchers for titles such as Mobile Legends, Free Fire and PUBG, along with e-pins for PlayStation, Xbox, Roblox and Razer Gold. The agreement marks SportsHero’s first major move into gaming vouchers, gift cards and digital rewards as it expands HeroPlay beyond mobile casual gaming subscriptions. Integration is set to begin immediately, with Razer products expected to become available through HeroPlay during the current quarter.
Lunnon Metals delivers strongest month at Lady Herial
Lunnon Metals (ASX:LM8) has delivered its strongest month since mining began at the Lady Herial gold open pit, with almost 77,000 tonnes at 1.79 grams per tonne gold delivered to Gold Fields during July. The material contained 4,439 ounces of gold, with Lunnon invoicing around $14.8 million for the month against direct costs of approximately $2.5 million. Mining at Lady Herial was completed in early August, ahead of schedule. Once the July invoice is paid, Lunnon expects to have realised $35.3 million in pre-tax free cash flow from its 70 per cent share, with total project free cash flow for the company still on track to reach approximately $38 million.
TechGen Metals secures drill rig for Blue Devil copper-gold targets
TechGen Metals (ASX:TG1) has secured a diamond drill rig for its maiden drilling program at the Blue Devil Project in Western Australia. The rig is expected to mobilise on 20 August, with drilling to begin shortly afterwards and provide the first drill test of the Blue Devil and Red Devil copper-gold targets. The Blue Devil target includes a large 2.75-kilometre airborne electromagnetic conductor supported by copper and gold geochemistry, while Red Devil hosts a strong IP target alongside high-grade surface samples. Recent rock-chip results at Red Devil have returned values of up to 52.3 per cent copper and 5.35 grams per tonne gold.
AusQuest resumes drilling at Coober Pedy copper-gold project
AusQuest (ASX:AQD) has restarted diamond drilling at its Coober Pedy Iron-Oxide Copper-Gold Project in South Australia, located within the Olympic Dam IOCG Province. The program comprises around 3,500 metres across 10 holes targeting magnetic, gravity and induced polarisation anomalies. The project is covered by AusQuest’s Strategic Alliance Agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary of South32. Drilling is expected to take around four weeks, with final assays anticipated approximately four weeks after the program is completed.
Proteomics International advances endometriosis blood test with Australian patent
Proteomics International (ASX:PIQ) has received a notice of acceptance from IP Australia for a patent covering its PromarkerEndo blood test for endometriosis. The patent protects methods using specific protein biomarkers in blood to diagnose the condition and help guide treatment, with protection expected to extend until March 2041, subject to grant and maintenance requirements. The company said the milestone strengthens its commercialisation pathway and could support future partnerships and licensing opportunities. PromarkerEndo has demonstrated high accuracy in published clinical studies, including for early-stage disease, with patent protection now secured in Australia, Japan and the United States.
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