Get ready for an exciting day of ASX coverage! We're kicking off Monday, January 12th, with a bang. Expect a flood of updates before the market opens and regular insights throughout the day. We'll be wrapping up around 2:00 pm AEST, so stay tuned and keep refreshing for the latest news. And don't forget to share your thoughts on how we can enhance our coverage even further!
Elevra Lithium's Game-Changing Move
Elevra Lithium is accelerating its NAL expansion plans, bringing forward spodumene production by a whopping two years! This staged approach not only reduces upfront capital and operating costs but also boosts production significantly. By early CY28, they're targeting an impressive 315ktpa of spodumene concentrate. And here's the kicker: they're achieving an initial 15-20% production uplift within existing permits through some clever debottlenecking. This is a major win for Elevra, and we can't wait to see the full impact of their expansion by early CY29.
ASX 200 Gaining Momentum
The ASX 200 is off to a strong start today, with an early trade surge of 0.73% and all eleven sectors in the green. It's an impressive display, with 162 constituents (a whopping 81%) showing positive gains.
Light & Wonder's Court Victory
Light & Wonder is celebrating a court ruling that requires them to compensate Aristocrat Leisure US$127.5 million for intellectual property infringement related to their Dragon Train game. This outcome is better than expected and clears a significant hurdle for Light & Wonder. Gold, aluminium, and asset managers like Pinnacle and Regal are also soaring, with gains of over 6%.
Zip and Block Rally on Trump's Credit Card Cap
Zip is experiencing a massive intraday rally, up 6.4%, thanks to Trump's potential 10% cap on credit card rates. This move could reduce risky lending and create a structural tailwind for BNPL providers like Zip, as consumers seek alternative credit options.
Super Retail's Preliminary Update
Super Retail Group reported a preliminary 1H26 trading update that fell short of expectations. RBC analyst Michael Toner highlights strong sales growth outside of BCF but softer realized gross margins due to discounts and promotions, particularly in Rebel. Rebel's profit before tax was below consensus, and flat group gross margins missed market expectations.
Electro Optic Systems Acquires MARSS
Electro Optic Systems (EOS) is acquiring MARSS for $36 million in cash, with potential earnouts up to €100 million. This acquisition brings advanced counter-drone and AI-enabled command capabilities to EOS, with limited near-term financial impact. MARSS brings sensor-fusion technology, skilled personnel, and customer contracts to the table.
Regal Partners Exceeds Estimates
Regal Partners, a fund manager, has updated its CY25 NPAT guidance, significantly surpassing analyst expectations. This outperformance is attributed to strong performance fees, with a preliminary FUM of $20.8 billion at December 2025, up 15.5% year-on-year.
ACCC vs. Coles and Woolworths
The ACCC is preparing legal action against Coles and Woolworths under new price gouging laws. The competition watchdog alleges that these retailers misled consumers with promotional price drops while actually raising prices. This high-stakes battle could have significant implications for both retailers and the ACCC's credibility.
Trump's Credit Card Rate Cap Proposal
Trump's proposed one-year cap on credit card interest rates is a bold move towards populist economic policy. However, the legal authority and implementation remain unclear. This announcement has sparked debate and uncertainty, with parallel bipartisan legislation proposing a five-year 10% cap.
GreenX's Legal Victory
GreenX Metals has received a boost from a Singapore court ruling, which dismissed Poland's attempt to overturn an Energy Charter Treaty award. This ruling validates GreenX's position and strengthens their hand in enforcing a large arbitration award against Poland. The award totals £183 million in compensation and interest, a significant win for GreenX.
US Jobs Growth and Labour Market Insights
December payrolls in the US came in softer than expected, but firmer wages and a lower unemployment rate suggest that the labour market is cooling but not breaking. Wage pressures are firming, with average hourly earnings up 0.3% month-on-month. Job gains were concentrated in services, while retail shed jobs, highlighting sectoral divergence.
Geopolitical Risks on the Rise
A cluster of policy shifts and military signals is elevating global uncertainty. Venezuela and US tensions have eased slightly, but Mexico risks fresh strain with Washington. Iran is in crisis mode, with protests intensifying and authorities cutting internet access. Russia and Ukraine tensions are escalating, with Moscow claiming the use of a nuclear-capable missile. China and Japan frictions are deepening over Taiwan-related remarks.
Homebuilder Stocks Soar
Trump's housing push is driving homebuilder stocks higher, with the SPDR S&P Homebuilder ETF up sharply. James Hardie is also gaining momentum, trading at its highest level since its 1Q26 results. Other US-exposed ASX-listed homebuilder stocks, like Reliance Worldwide and GWA Group, are also worth watching.
Mortgage Bonds Rally
Markets reacted positively to Trump's proposed $200 billion agency mortgage bond purchase, driving tighter MBS spreads and a rally in housing-linked equities. This move is seen as a near-term stimulus, despite skepticism about its long-term affordability impacts.
S&P 500 at Record Highs
The S&P 500 closed at fresh all-time highs overnight, with sectors like Staples, Industrials, Discretionary, Utilities, and Materials all rallying over 1%. It's an impressive performance, with broad gains across the board.
And there you have it! An exciting start to the week on the ASX. Stay tuned for more updates and insights throughout the day. Don't forget to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below! We love hearing from our readers and engaging in thoughtful discussions.
