ASX record high: Shock Aussie stock that’s soared 152 per cent as others crashed
This under-the-radar Aussie stock has eclipsed stockmarket giants to be the top performer with a 152 per cent surge. See the top 10 stocks that soared and 10 that crashed.
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Geopolitical tensions and rising pressure on governments globally to beef up their defence spending has proven a boon for West Australian ship builder Austal, which has outshone Australia’s stockmarket giants to be the top performer over the past year.
Austal has benefited from the broad rise in defence stocks in recent months, as well as the increased potential of another takeover offer from South Korean conglomerate Hanwha.
The under-the-radar company, which has a significant footprint in the US, delivered shareholders with a 152 per cent increase in its share price in the year to June, making it the top performer in the S&P/ASX200.
The strong result came in another solid year for the local market, with the S&P/ASX200 index gaining 10.2 per cent to finish 2024-25 at 8542.3 points.
It was the market’s best performance in four years, even as President Trump pushed ahead with his controversial tariffs plan, and tensions escalated in the Middle East.
And the market has continued to shrug off concerns about the global economy uncertainty, reaching a new record high on Tuesday.
The All Ordinaries closed 60 points higher at 8871.3 points on Tuesday – a new record, and up 18 per cent from the year’s low of 7524.3 points.
While technology stocks and the big banks were major drivers of the gains over the past year, other sectors have struggled, with slowing growth in China and tariff fears dragging materials and energy stocks into negative territory.
IDP Education, which specialises in international student placement, was the worst performer in the year to June, its shares diving 76 per cent amid stricter limits on immigration globally.
Here are some of the other winners and losers for 2024-25.
S&P/ASX200 Best Performers: 2024-25
Austal
Up 152 per cent to $6.28
Market capitalisation up $1.7bn to $2.6bn
Current price: $5.83
Austal has benefited from the broad rise in defence stocks, which has been spurred by the geopolitical tensions and increasing defence spending commitments from governments globally. The increased potential of another takeover offer from Hanwha was another tailwind for the company during the year.
Regis Resources
Up 150 per cent to $4.39
Market capitalisation up $1.9bn to $3.3bn
Current price: $4.62
The gold miner was the second-best performer over the year and one of four gold miners that made it into the top 10 as the gold price surged past $US3500 in April when tariff tensions hit a peak.
Genesis Minerals
Up 145 per cent to $4.30
Market capitalisation up $2.9bn to $4.9bn
Current price: $4.21
Another gold miner that benefitted from the surging gold price. Genesis reported record-breaking quarterly gold production of more close to 60,000 ounces in March, and recently announced it would buy the Laverton gold project in Western Australia from Focus Minerals for $250m, adding a mineral resource of 4 million ounces.
Sigma Healthcare
Up 135 per cent to $2.99
Market capitalisation up $32.4bn to $34.5bn
Current price: $2.74
Sigma Healthcare’s merger with Chemist Warehouse supported the company’s strong rise over the past year, with the share price moving sharply higher as it reached each milestone towards the deal which was completed in February. The biggest profit generator within the Sigma business is now Chemist Warehouse, which is the biggest pharmacy business in Australia.
Temple & Webster
Up 127 per cent to $21.32
Market capitalisation up $1.4bn to $2.5bn
Current price: $21.66
Temple & Webster was the strongest of the retailers in the ASX200, with the company’s share price more than doubling on the back of stronger earnings.
Evolution Mining
Up 123 per cent to $7.79
Market capitalisation up $8.7bn to $15.6bn
Current price: $7.70
The third gold miner in the top ten, Evolution Mining’s share price surged higher in 2024-25 on the back of the stronger gold price and strong earnings results.
TechnologyOne
Up 120 per cent to $41.01
Market capitalisation up $7.4bn to $13.4bn
Current price: $40.37
TechnologyOne was the leading company in a strong technology sector, with its share price more than doubling over the year. The company beat earnings expectations during the year, and it surpassed its $500m annual recurring revenue target while reiterating its long-term goal of $1bn ARR.
Generation Development Group
Up 114 per cent to $5.50
Market capitalisation up $1.6bn to $2.2bn
Current price: $5.34
One of the smaller companies in the ASX200, the specialist financial products provider has continued to grow, announcing in February that it had agreed to buy investment manager Evidentia Group for $320m. Led by three-time Olympic gold medallist Grant Hackett as CEO, GDG described the deal as “a highly strategic opportunity”, given Evidentia’s status as one of Australia’s fastest growing managed accounts businesses.
Zip Co
Up 110 per cent to $3.07
Market capitalisation up $2.3bn to $4.0bn
Current price: $2.83
The buy now pay later operator’s shares more than doubled in 2024-25, but they are still a long way from their peak of $12.35 reached in early 2021. The company dipped when Donald Trump unveiled his tariffs plan, but it has since recovered due largely to profit upgrades released on the back of strong US performance.
Spartan Resources
Up 102 per cent to $1.99
Market capitalisation up $1.5bn to $2.5bn
Current price: $2.01
The gold miner’s shares rocketed in March when it announced a buyout by ASX rival Ramelius Resources. The two WA gold miners agreed to a cash and share deal, whereby Ramelius would acquire Spartan and form a new company worth $4.2bn.
S&P/ASX200 Worst Performers: 2024-25
IDP Education
Down 76 per cent to $3.67
Market capitalisation down $3.2bn to $1.0bn
Current price: $3.73
IDP, which specialises in international student placement, struggled in the face of stricter limits on immigration globally. Its shares dived 76 per cent in the year to June, making it the worst performer in the ASX200.
Mineral Resources
Down 60 per cent to $21.56
Market capitalisation down $6.3bn to $4.2bn
Current price: $27.61
Under pressure mining company Mineral Resources was the second-worst performer of the year, its shares tumbling 60 per cent due to weak iron ore and lithium prices. The company’s high debts have also been a concern for investors.
Pilbara Minerals
Down 57 per cent to $1.34
Market capitalisation down $4.9bn to $4.3bn
Current price: $1.58
The lithium miner’s shares were sold off during the year after lithium prices crashed on oversupply concerns. The company reported a $69m loss in the first half.
Clarity Pharmaceuticals
Down 54 per cent to $2.50
Market capitalisation down $0.9bn to $0.8bn
Current price: $3.24
The clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company has been caught up in a sharp sell-off in US healthcare stocks and the unexpected failure of eye-health company Opthea’s trial results earlier this year. Clarity also extended its losses to $23.5m in the first half of 2024-25.
PolyNovo
Down 51 per cent to $1.20
Market capitalisation down $0.9bn to $0.8bn
Current price: $1.16
The medical device company’s shares came under pressure after its sales growth came in softer than expected during the year. Concerns over the impact of US trade tariffs also weighed on sentiment.
Bellevue Gold
Down 50 per cent to 90c
Market capitalisation down $0.8bn to $1.3bn
Current price: 92c
While most gold stocks were up over the year, Bellevue Gold was an anomaly, with its share price plunging after it slashed its production guidance and withdrew its five-year growth plan. The miner also announced a strategic review and confirmed the departure of its chief operating officer Bill Stirling.
Nufarm
Down 47 per cent to $2.46
Market capitalisation down $0.8bn to $0.9bn
Current price: $2.36
The crop protection company’s shares were sold off following disappointing half year results, including a 39 per cent decline in profit to $29.8m. Nufarm’s shares plunged 27 per cent in a single day in May, after it slashed its full-year earnings outlook.
Domino’s Pizza
Down 46 per cent to $19.27
Market capitalisation down $1.4bn to $1.8bn
Current price: $17.90
The company’s share price has been in free-fall due to a range of factors including leadership instability, strategic restructuring and financial underperformance. The abrupt resignation of Kerri Hayman as CEO of Domino’s Australia and New Zealand in May after a mere nine months in the role sent ripples of unease throughout the market. The company’s shares have fallen further since the end of June following the announcement that chief executive Mark van Dyck, who was only appointed in November, was now departing in December.
Lifestyle Communities
Down 44 per cent to $7.00
Market capitalisation down $0.7bn to $0.8bn
Current price: $4.47
The retirement village operator was among the worst performers in 2024-25, and things have only got worse, with its shares crashing 37 per cent last week following a tribunal ruling in Victoria that found its exit fees amounted to an illegal profiteering scheme.
WEB Travel Group
Down 44 per cent to $4.45
Market capitalisation down $1.9bn to $1.6bn
Current price: $4.68
The B2B travel company’s shares suffered a 36 per cent hit on a single day in October after it flagged ongoing “subdued” margins in Europe for its wholesale bookings business WebBeds. The company’s shares have since stabilised.
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