BUSINESS

PLS Group shares rose 7.4% after a steep sell-off, but remain under pressure as falling lithium prices, weaker demand expectations and rising supply weigh on sentiment.

Ora Banda Mining shares rose 7.43% after a sharp weekly sell-off, as investors weighed a quarterly production shortfall, higher costs, funding capacity and the company's growth plans.

PDI Gold shares rose 7.2% despite weaker gold prices, recovering from recent losses as investors assessed Kiniero production, the Bankan project and regional political risks.

Minerals 260 shares rose 7.2% as investors returned to the Bullabulling gold project despite weaker bullion prices, with the developer advancing funding, drilling and approvals for planned production.

The S&P/ASX 200 recovered from early losses as energy and mining stocks gained, while banks and retailers weakened amid rising oil prices and growing bets on an RBA rate hike.

Amazon Australia has increased Prime membership prices by 30%, lifting monthly fees to AU$12.99 and annual plans to AU$99 as Black Friday approaches and households face ongoing cost pressures.

RBA Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser says Australia's prolonged productivity weakness reflects both regulatory burdens and insufficient business investment in technology, capital and innovation.

South Korea's 10 largest business groups lost about 1,101 trillion won in market value as semiconductor shares plunged amid a global retreat from AI-related stocks.

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are expected to report record profits, but steep share-price falls have raised doubts about AI-driven memory demand, competition and future earnings.

Global oil prices have surged after increased attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to reverse recent petrol-price declines and intensify Australia's inflation pressures.

LKQ shares fell nearly 19% after CEO Justin Jude stepped down, the company withdrew its 2026 forecast and warned of a third-quarter loss tied largely to European operations.

Comfort Systems USA shares fell 12% despite third-quarter profit and revenue beating forecasts, as investors reacted to the CFO's retirement, flat margins and no numerical outlook.

Bloom Energy reported record third-quarter revenue and earnings while raising its 2026 outlook, but its shares fell as investors weighed valuation, cash flow and AI spending concerns.

Sallie Mae shares dropped after the lender reported an unexpected third-quarter loss, reduced its profit outlook and raised its forecast for loan charge-offs.

ADP users reported login failures, error messages and time-clock problems on Friday, although the company had not confirmed an outage and there was no indication payroll deposits were affected.

RingCentral shares jumped more than 18% after the company beat third-quarter earnings estimates, raised its outlook and reported that AI products now generate over $400 million in annual recurring revenue.

Crown Castle shares rose more than 12% after reports said SpaceX was negotiating access to at least 80,000 US mobile sites as it develops a nationwide wireless network.

Robert Half shares rose more than 14% after quarterly earnings increased, its staffing division returned to growth and the company forecast stronger fourth-quarter profit amid cautious hiring demand.

American Tower shares rose nearly 7% after a report that SpaceX is seeking access to at least 80,000 US cell sites, potentially creating major new demand for tower operators.

SBA Communications shares rose nearly 9% after reports that SpaceX is seeking access to at least 80,000 US cell sites, lifting tower operators while pressuring major carriers.

US natural gas prices fell to a two-month low as forecasts for mild weather reduced expected heating demand, outweighing tighter storage data and strong LNG exports.

Bitcoin rose 0.47% to $81,690.50 after Thursday's 3.3% drop, as technology stocks, higher oil prices and $635.6 million in spot ETF outflows pressured cryptocurrencies.

Gold fell towards $4,000 an ounce as higher oil prices intensified inflation concerns and boosted expectations of further US interest rate rises, pressuring bullion and mining stocks.

Premier Investments shares rose nearly 4% as investors moved towards Australian retail stocks, despite ongoing concerns over Smiggle, weak consumer spending and the company's subdued share performance.

Whitehaven Coal shares rose 3.2% after record first-quarter production exceeded expectations, supported by Queensland operations and stronger prices despite port disruptions that delayed sales.

Charter Hall shares rose 3.1% as lower US bond yields and defensive-sector rotation supported property stocks, while investors assessed interest-rate risks and the fund manager's growth outlook.

Commonwealth Bank shares rose 3.09% to A$162.03 as investors moved into defensive sectors after a Wall Street technology sell-off, despite broader ASX 200 losses.

Amcor shares rose 3% on the ASX as investors shifted towards defensive stocks after a sharp Wall Street technology sell-off, ahead of the company's November results.

Alkane Resources shares fell nearly 10% as weaker gold prices outweighed steady September-quarter production, lower costs, strong cash generation and reaffirmed fiscal 2027 guidance.