To The Moon

As of the close on Friday, $S&P/ASX 200(XJO.AU)$ closed at 8,787.70 on Friday, down 0.13% in the past 5 days.

The S&P/ASX 200 edged up 0.13%, delivering its strongest weekly performance in a year with mining companies leading the gains. Copper craze lifts Australian mining stocks to new highs.

1. $LYNAS RARE EARTHS LTD(LYC.AU)$ +15.52%

• Global concerns over China's rare-earth export restrictions have intensified. As the largest producer outside China, Lynas is seen as a critical alternative source, boosting its strategic value for Western economies and automakers .

• The company's partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense to build a heavy rare earths separation plant in Texas highlights its key role in building a non-China supply chain, generating significant investor confidence .

• Initiatives like a proposed U.S.-backed minimum price floor for rare earths are viewed positively by the market. These policies aim to ensure higher and more stable prices, directly benefiting producers like Lynas .

• The stock is exhibiting strong price momentum and its earnings outlook has improved. It was recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), reflecting positive earnings estimate revisions, which can attract institutional investors .

2. $NORTHERN STAR RESOURCES LTD(NST.AU)$ +9.80%

• The gold price has reached record levels, this provides a strong tailwind for all gold producers, significantly boosting Northern Star's revenue potential and profitability .

• A large stake in the company (worth approximately A$1.1 billion) was put up for sale by Gold Fields . The strong investor demand for this block trade, executed at a minimal discount, signals robust market confidence in Northern Star's future .

• The company received a significant vote of confidence when a major bank, Macquarie, named it its top pick among large gold stocks, replacing Newmont Corporation. This endorsement likely attracted new investor attention .

3. $EVOLUTION MINING LTD(EVN.AU)$ +8.21%

• The company's stock has demonstrated significant strength, with a notable year-to-date increase . This positive momentum is a key factor in the recent performance.

• The gold price has been trading near record highs, creating a strong revenue tailwind for gold producers like Evolution Mining .

• The successful early and under-budget completion of projects like the Mungari mill expansion demonstrates effective execution and enhances future production prospects .

4. $Rio Tinto Ltd(RIO.AU)$ +8.07%

• Copper prices climbed to a 15-month peak, providing a significant boost to the entire mining sector. This was largely driven by a supply disruption after Freeport-McMoRan declared force majeure at its Grasberg mine in Indonesia.

• The mining sector index soared 1.7% to its highest level in almost 21 months. As a sector leader, Rio Tinto benefited from this broad upward trend, with its shares advancing 3.6% on September 25th.

• The stock was also boosted by firmer iron ore prices, attributed to renewed buying interest from China, a key market for Rio Tinto's primary product.

5. $NEWMONT CORP-CDI(NEM.AU)$ +6.68%

• The stock has demonstrated strong short-term momentum, rising 3.12% in the past week and over 17% in the past month, outperforming the broader market . This strength was reinforced by significant analyst upgrades.

• The price of gold has reached record highs, with December 2025 futures touching approximately $3,824 per ounce . This provides a powerful tailwind for gold miners like Newmont, as higher metal prices directly and significantly boost profitability .