Hot Stocks: EMVision Medical Devices, Strickland Metals, Autosports Group

US markets opened June with modest gains despite renewed global trade tensions. The S&P 500 rose 0.41% to 5,935.94, the Nasdaq gained 0.67% to close at 19,242.61, and the Dow added 35 points to reach 42,305.48. The session followed a strong May, where the S&P recorded its best monthly performance since late 2023, up over 6%, with the Nasdaq surging more than 9% and the Dow advancing around 4%.

Markets largely shrugged off news that China accused the US of breaching a recent trade deal, threatening the fragile truce negotiated in Geneva. A potential phone call between President Trump and President Xi Jinping later this week is now being closely watched. Separately, Trump’s decision to double steel tariffs from 25% to 50% drew sharp criticism from the EU but sent US steel stocks sharply higher—Cleveland-Cliffs jumped 23%, while Steel Dynamics and Nucor each gained around 10%. Brent crude climbed 3.65% to US$65.07 a barrel, while the Australian dollar was steady at 64.92 US cents.

Markets are focused on the Fair Work Commission’s annual wage review, due at 10am AEST. NAB is forecasting a 3.5% increase, citing easing inflation now below 3%. At 11.30am, the RBA will release minutes from its May meeting, offering insight into policymakers’ thinking, followed by a speech at 1pm from Assistant Governor Sarah Hunter in Brisbane. The SPI futures are pointing to a 69-point rise at the open.

EMVision Medical Devices (ASX:EMV) has activated two additional trial sites—Mount Sinai in New York and Liverpool Hospital in Sydney—for its pivotal FDA De Novo validation trial of the emu™ bedside brain scanner. These bring the total number of activated trial sites to five, with a sixth to follow shortly. The trial targets 300 participants across haemorrhagic and other stroke types and aims to demonstrate >80% sensitivity and specificity for haemorrhage detection. CEO Scott Kirkland noted the significance of collaborating with globally recognised stroke centres in validating this point-of-care technology.

Strickland Metals (ASX:STK) announced a strong gold intercept from the Rogozna Project in Serbia, specifically at the Gradina Prospect. Drill-hole ZRSD25182 returned 62.7m at 3.5g/t Au, including a high-grade 27.8m at 6.3g/t. The company is rapidly advancing toward a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate by late 2025, supported by an intensive 50,000m drilling program involving seven rigs. With $34.8 million in cash and a $5 million strategic investment from Zijin Mining, Strickland is well-funded for continued exploration.

Autosports Group (ASX:ASG) has entered into a new AUD$350 million Syndicated Facility Agreement with major lenders including Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, BMW Australia Finance, and Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. The new structure replaces existing term facilities with three revolving credit facilities—two maturing in three years and one in five—eliminating about $25.2 million in principal amortisation, reducing interest margins, and improving cashflow flexibility. The agreement is intended to simplify the capital structure and support future growth, with financial close expected mid-June.