Azzet reports on three ASX stocks with price moving updates today.
James Hardie soars on turnaround 2Q numbers
Shares in James Hardie (ASX: JHX) were up 9.6% by 2 pm AEDT (3 am GMT) after the dual-listed building-materials company reported preliminary net sales for the second quarter of US$1.29 billion to $1.30 billion, beating average analyst estimates.
Today’s update provides welcome relief for shareholders who saw the share price tumble from $44.69 on 18 August to $30.42 four days later.
Underscoring the market selloff were some pretty ordinary company first-quarter FY26 results, with net sales of $899.9 million, down 9% year-on-year, operating income of $138.6 million, a 41% decrease and adjusted earnings of $225.5 million, down 21%.
Also playing on the minds of investors back in August was the integration of the recently acquired AZEK business for $14 billion.
Despite early wins on cost and commercial synergies, James Hardie has been accused of paying too much for the outdoor decking and railings company.
However, 2Q results paint a different picture with adjusted earnings expected to range between $326 million and $331 million, well up on the previous $263 million result.
What’s also resonating with investors were assurances from CEO Aaron Erter that integration of the U.S.-based Azek and synergy capture initiatives remain on track.
“Our Siding & Trim sales performance exceeded the expectations reflected in our modelling considerations,” said Erter.
“The integration of AZEK and our synergy capture initiatives remain on-track. AZEK performed well in the second quarter, with mid-single digit growth in both net sales and sell-through for Deck, Rail & Accessories vs. the prior year.”
While fiscal third quarter, ending December 31st, is traditionally the seasonally smallest for Deck, Rail & Accessories shipments, Erter reminded the market that it remains a key period when dealer partners make shelf space plans for the following year’s selling season.
“We have clear opportunities to secure incremental shelf space for our Deck, Rail & Accessories products and expand James Hardie Siding & Trim into AZEK’s loyal dealer network in key repair and remodel geographies,” he noted.
The company will provide an update to its full-year guidance through March with its second-quarter earnings call on 18 November.
As of 30 September, the company had net debt of $4.5 billion.
James Hardie has a market cap of $14.2 billion; the share price is down 38% in one year and up 17% in the last week.
The stock’s shares appear to be in a long-term bearish trend, confirmed by multiple indicators.
Consensus is Moderate Buy.
Altech Batteries rallies on launch of explosion-proof UPS battery for EU pipelines
Shares in Altech Batteries (ASX: ATC) were up around 7.8% after the battery technology small-cap in partnership with AMPower, unveiled a new 384 V / 15 kWh sodium-nickel-chloride UPS battery designed for Europe’s gas and hydrogen pipeline infrastructure.
Altech has already secured the first order for the fireproof, explosion-proof and maintenance-free battery and expects strong and rapid adoption across Europe.
Certified for ATEX-classified explosive environments, the battery is understood to operate across extreme temperatures without cooling or ventilation and can directly replace legacy lead-acid systems.
The battery is also said to offer reliable performance across extreme temperatures from minus 20° Celsius to 60°C, without the need for ventilation systems or external cooling equipment.
The new design replaces lead-acid and nickel-cadmium batteries that can suffer from limited lifespans, hydrogen gas emissions, frequent maintenance, and sudden failure risk, as well as lithium-ion battery systems banned from explosion zones due to their flammable liquid electrolyte content.
With a 15-plus year lifespan and over 5,000 cycles, Altech is positioning this product as a transformative drop-and-play solution to replace ageing lead-acid and nickel-cadmium systems across Europe’s vast, ageing pipeline network.
Commenting on today’s update, Altech’s managing director, Iggy Tan, told the market that this launch was a pivotal moment for the company as it delivers a safe and practical energy solution into one of Europe’s most sensitive sectors.
“Our new 384 V / 15 kWh UPS battery not only meets these demands—it exceeds them, offering operators a true drop-in replacement for lead-acid and nickel-cadmium systems,” he said.
“We are proud to partner with AMPower on this breakthrough, and with the first order already secured, we anticipate strong and rapid adoption across Europe”.
Today’s update follows recently announced plans by the company to collaborate with the giant Chinese sodium nickel chloride battery manufacturer AMPower to produce UPS batteries for distribution across Australia, Europe, and the U.S.
This collaboration allows Altech to leverage AMPower’s production capabilities for immediate market entry, while maintaining proprietary control over its CERENERGY battery cell technology.
As at 30 June 2025, the company had cash of $0.4 million.
Altech Batteries has a market cap of $140 million; the share price is up 6% in one year and up 68% in the last month.
The stock appears to be in a Medium-term rally, confirmed by multiple indicators.
Consensus does not cover this stock.
St Barbara bounces on delayed reaction to advance studies for the Simberi mine
Shares in St Barbara (ASX: SBM) were up by 2.9% in what appeared to be a delayed response to yesterday’s revelation that the Perth-based gold developer had managed to raise A$58 million from its largest investors.
Revelations that institutional investors had been offered stock at a 9.7% discount to the 10-day volume weighted average market price (VWAP) of $0.51 saw the shares in the stock plunge by as much as 11% to $0.52 at yesterday’s close.
While existing retail investors have every right to be peeved by yesterday's capital raise, the market appears to have responded favourably this morning to the company’s plans to use funds to advance studies for the Simberi mine in PNG.
Renewed market sentiment towards St Barbara today may have also been influenced by revelations that the gold price has topped US$4,000/oz.
Simberi is an open-cut mine that’s been part of St Barbara’s portfolio since 2012.
In late 2024, St Barbara raised A$110 million to fast-track the proposed expansion of Simberi, which involves mining the sulphide material beneath the existing oxide pits.
Once complete, the addition of sulphide mining was expected to extend the Simberi operation by at least 10 years and roughly triple its annual gold production from the current 65,000-75,000 oz. level to 230,000 oz. through 2034.
Management’s decision to raise an additional $58 million follows recent hints that there had been unsolicited expressions of interest in its PNG operations, with some parties having already progressed to due diligence following recent site visits.
St Barbara CEO Andrew Strelein told the market that the placement allows it to progress the change out of the truck fleet at Simberi to improve efficiency and reliability, as well as finalising the Feasibility Study and advancing Pre-Expansion Growth Capital items.
“The new funds will also enable us to complete the Pre-Feasibility Study on the 15-Mile Processing Hub at Nova Scotia, which is due in the March quarter of 2026, and progress plans for the potential re-opening of Touquoy for stockpile processing.”
Yesterday’s market update follows challenges by the Australian gold miner to an assessment by PNG’s Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) that imposed 456 million kinas (nearly $176 million) in additional taxes and penalties on its Simberi mine operations earlier this year.
The PNG Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) Deputy Commissioner of Taxation has advised that the IRC will revoke the previous tax assessments and reissue a revised tax reassessment as early as 19 September 2025.
However, there has been no update on whether the revised tax reassessment has been processed.
It’s reasonable to assume that unsolicited expressions of interest in its PNG operations may be waiting for a resolution of these tax issues before showing their hand.
St Barbara has a market cap of $579 million; the share price is up 57% in one year and up 40% in the last month.
The stock appears to be in a strong bullish trend, confirmed by multiple indicators.
Consensus is Moderate Buy.
This article does not constitute financial or product advice. You should consider independent advice before making financial decisions.
