The Australian sharemarket trimmed early gains on Tuesday ahead of the Reserve Bank’s interest rate decision at 2.30pm AEDT, with markets widely expecting an increase to an 18-year high. The S&P/ASX 200 was up 0.11 per cent to 8,866.60 at 1:00 pm AEDT, after rising around 0.6 per cent earlier. Seven of the 11 sectors traded higher, while energy stocks fell 4 per cent as oil dropped below US$105 a barrel following signals of possible diplomacy from Iran. Qantas gained 6.5 per cent on lower fuel costs, while Virgin Australia rose 8.1 per cent. The cautious session followed mixed trading on Wall Street overnight, where weakness among chipmakers offset a relief rally triggered by an 8 per cent decline in oil prices. Lower bond yields and a softer US dollar provided some support, but concerns over artificial intelligence valuations continued to weigh on technology stocks. Investors remained cautious ahead of the RBA announcement, with persistent inflation keeping expectations of another interest rate increase elevated.
In small cap company news,
Clever Culture Systems raises $2.6 million to develop new APAS platform
Clever Culture Systems (ASX: CC5) has secured commitments for a $2.6 million funding package to accelerate development of APAS Revolution, a new benchtop system designed to automate microbiology testing at smaller pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. The funding comprises a $1 million share placement and a $1.6 million unsecured loan, with the latter due for repayment in November 2027. The company estimates the new platform could expand its total addressable market by approximately 50 per cent to $4.3 billion, based on its internal market research. APAS Revolution will use technology developed for the existing APAS Independence system, targeting facilities with lower testing volumes. Customer evaluations are planned for 2027, with commercial launch expected in the first half of 2028. Click here to view the full announcement.
Orthocell partner receives US FDA clearance for bone regeneration product
Orthocell (ASX: OCC) has announced that its strategic partner, Marine Biomedical, has received US Food and Drug Administration clearance for PearlBone, a bone graft substitute developed from sustainably sourced pearl shell. The clearance allows Marine Biomedical to market the product in the United States for its approved indications, with commercial launch preparations underway. Orthocell holds a 12 per cent equity interest in Marine Biomedical following a $1.05 million investment and has secured a first right of refusal over global distribution rights for PearlBone and future bone repair products. The technology could complement Orthocell’s existing nerve and tendon repair portfolio, although any distribution arrangement remains subject to further commercial agreements.
Janus Electric expands US truck eligibility as incentive applications increase
Janus Electric (ASX: JNS) has submitted 16 additional applications under California’s zero-emission truck incentive program, bringing its total applications for customer Ability Tri-Modal to 20. The company’s JCM 540 electric conversion system is now authorised for 39 heavy truck models and 920 vehicle configurations across six major US manufacturers. Janus has an existing North American order book covering 124 truck conversions, with a gross contract value of approximately $64.6 million, although certain orders remain subject to funding and delivery conditions. An initial 18 US trucks are scheduled for conversion and delivery by the end of 2026. The company has maintained its FY27 revenue guidance of $70 million to $100 million, while progressing a separate pipeline of more than 240 potential conversions.
Noble Helium mobilises drilling rig for Tanzania exploration well
Noble Helium (ASX: NHE) has commenced transporting drilling equipment from Kenya to Tanzania ahead of its planned Kinambo-1 exploration well at the North Rukwa Helium Project. Contractor BoreXpert is moving the Schramm T130XD drilling rig and associated equipment approximately 1,500 kilometres to the site, with several trucks already crossing the border. The company has secured the necessary transport permits and specialist downhole logging and sampling equipment from SLB. Drilling is expected to begin during November, with the program intended to gather geological and gas composition data to support future independent resource assessments. The campaign follows earlier delays while Noble Helium awaited confirmation that specialist testing equipment would be available.
Evion Group completes magnetic survey at Nevada fluorspar project
Evion Group (ASX: EVG) has completed a high-resolution drone magnetic survey at its Carp Fluorspar Project in Nevada, providing new geological data ahead of its planned maiden drilling program. The survey covered approximately 4.94 square kilometres, with flight lines spaced 25 metres apart. Initial interpretation has identified additional structural features that were not apparent in earlier satellite-based mapping, helping refine potential exploration targets. Evion is integrating the magnetic results with geological mapping and other datasets to better understand the controls on fluorspar mineralisation. Assay results from 41 rock chip samples are expected during November, followed by a surface geochemical survey before year-end. Preparations for drilling permits are planned for early 2027.
Auravelle Metals completes $250,000 Skeleton Rocks project sale
Auravelle Metals (ASX: AUV) has completed the sale of its Skeleton Rocks exploration project in Western Australia to Forrestania Resources, receiving 681,414 Forrestania shares valued at approximately $250,000 under the transaction terms. Settlement occurred on 2 November following satisfaction or waiver of the required conditions. The sale forms part of Auravelle’s strategy to streamline its exploration portfolio and concentrate resources on its Nuckulla Hill gold project in South Australia’s Gawler Craton and the Crown Project near Kalgoorlie. By receiving shares rather than cash, Auravelle retains indirect exposure to the future exploration performance of Skeleton Rocks through its investment in Forrestania.
