Weekly | Did Clearing a Legal Overhang Fuel $LNW's 16.7% Jump?

As of the close on Friday, $S&P/ASX 200(XJO.AU)$ closed at 8,903.90 on Friday, up 1.95% in the past 5 days.

1. $Light & Wonder Inc(LNW.AU)$ +16.70%

• Light & Wonder's settlement of long-standing IP litigation removes a major uncertainty, with the market viewing the one-time payment as manageable. The deal reinforces the strength of its proprietary intellectual property and clears the way for the company to fully focus on its core growth and product innovation pipeline.

• The company secured an increased $1 billion revolving credit facility and received positive analyst ratings (e.g., from Citi and UBS), which boosted market confidence in its financial stability and growth momentum.

2. $JAMES HARDIE INDUSTRIES-CDI(JHX.AU)$ +10.12%

James Hardie's stock surged due to its network optimization strategy. The market positively interpreted the closure of two older US plants as a move that would generate significant cost savings, improve long-term operational efficiency, and signal proactive restructuring. The associated one-time charges are viewed as manageable compared to the enduring benefits.

3. $LYNAS RARE EARTHS LTD(LYC.AU)$ +9.79%

• Lynas' value gains a "supply security premium" from the Australian government's A$1.2 billion critical minerals stockpile program.

• Geopolitical tensions over potential Chinese export restrictions drive investors toward Lynas as a secure non-Chinese supplier.

• Positive global sector sentiment and allied supply chain diversification efforts solidify Lynas' strategic position with its unique dual-location infrastructure.

• Strong market anticipation surrounds the upcoming December quarter results, expected to show solid production growth and higher realized prices.

4. $NEXGEN ENERGY LTD-CDR(NXG.AU)$ +9.25%

• Final 2025 drilling results confirmed a significant extension of the PCE zone's high-grade core and overall footprint, demonstrating strong geological continuity and project scale.

• The company launched its largest-ever drilling campaign at its flagship project and initiated work at a new property, signaling a major commitment to resource growth.

• Brokerages raised price targets, highlighting the company's strategic position in a tightening uranium market and its strong long-term fundamentals.

• Global nuclear power expansion, supply deficits, and renewed focus on Canadian assets boosted overall investor sentiment toward uranium developers like NexGen.

5. $NORTHERN STAR RESOURCES LTD(NST.AU)$ +8.54%

• Record-high gold prices significantly boost NST's profit margins, especially as early-2026 price hedges expire, amplifying its operational leverage.

• Share prices rebounded as investors viewed recent production guidance cuts due to equipment failures as a short-term issue, overshadowed by the stronger long-term gold price outlook.

• The broader rally in ASX gold stocks amid high bullion prices attracted investor interest to NST, with expectations of improved free cash flow and dividends in 2026.

• The market positioned ahead of the upcoming December quarter report on January 22, expecting details on operational recovery and progress toward annual targets in the favorable gold price environment.

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