Daily Roundup

Thursday, 17th April 2025
Last updated: 20:00

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Yancoal Australia Delivers Solid Q1 2025 Results

Yancoal Australia Ltd reported a strong start to the year, with its Q1 2025 production results showcasing the company's resilience in the face of challenging market conditions. The key highlights include an impressive A$157/t average realised coal price, a $136 million increase in cash balance to $2.6 billion, and robust production figures of 15.2Mt ROM coal and 12.5Mt saleable coal.

Despite the weak pricing environment due to ample supply and subdued demand, Yancoal's large-scale, low-cost operations have given it a competitive edge. The company's 2025 operational guidance remains unchanged, with 35-39Mt attributable saleable production, $89-97/tonne cash operating costs, and $750-900 million attributable capital expenditure.

Yancoal will also return $687 million to shareholders as a fully franked final dividend of A$0.52/share, demonstrating its commitment to delivering value to its investors. The company remains debt-free and expects a subsequent price recovery as higher-cost producers respond to the current low coal prices.

Connexion Mobility Reports Q3 FY25 Results

Connexion Mobility Ltd has provided an update on its Q3 FY25 performance, showcasing a mix of growth and challenges. The company reported revenue growth from Connexion subscriptions and vehicle inventories, but a decrease in net profit before tax due to lower service revenue and increased costs.

Gross Profit decreased 1% quarter-on-quarter to $1.9 million, while Net Profit Before Tax decreased 13% to $0.83 million. Connexion's top priority remains growing long-term shareholder value, and the company continues to focus on improving revenue diversification, deepening commercial relationships, and initiating new partnerships.

Despite the headwinds, Connexion reported a record tenth consecutive quarter of increased revenue, with total revenue during the quarter reaching $2.83 million, a 1% increase over the prior quarter. The company's financial position remained sound, with steady growth in subscriptions and a slight decrease in service revenue.

Clarity Pharmaceuticals Secures Key Supply Agreement

Clarity Pharmaceuticals (ASX: CU6) has signed a commercial-scale Supply Agreement with Nusano, Inc. for the supply of copper-64 isotope. This agreement will complement Clarity's existing network of US-based suppliers and ensure abundant and seamless supply as the company progresses its late-stage clinical trials and approaches commercialization.

Nusano's state-of-the-art facility in Utah is expected to begin production in 2025, with copper-64 isotope supply planned to commence in early 2026. The facility's capacity to produce more than 1,000 Ci (37,000 GBq) of copper-64 per day will be well in excess of commercial-scale demands across multiple large oncology indications.

Clarity is determined to overcome the limitations of the current generation of radio-diagnostics and lay a strong foundation for the successful roll-out of its Targeted Copper Theranostics (TCTs) globally. The company is well-funded with approximately $106 million in cash and will prioritize the development of key programs, including 64/67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA, 64Cu-SARTATE, and 64Cu-SAR-Bombesin.

Pilbara Minerals Maintains Robust Performance

Pilbara Minerals has reported its March quarter activities, highlighting the completion of the Pilgangoora P680 and P1000 projects and a focus on optimisation and cost reduction. The company's production for the quarter was 125.0kt, 34% lower than the prior quarter due to the full quarter impact of the P850 operating model, planned shutdowns, and impacts from Cyclone Zelia.

Despite the lower production, Pilbara Minerals maintained a strong balance sheet with $1.1 billion in cash and $625 million in undrawn credit facilities. The company also reported a 7% increase in the average realised price to US$747/t, partially offsetting the lower sales volume.

Pilbara Minerals has reconfirmed its FY25 production guidance of 700-740kt and is focused on optimising the Pilgangoora operation, with the investment phase now complete. The company has also diversified its portfolio with the acquisition of the Colina Project, a hard-rock lithium asset in Brazil.

Challenger Limited Maintains Momentum in Q3

Challenger Limited reported a strong third quarter, with continued sales growth across its retirement business. Annuity sales increased by 20% to $1.0 billion, driven by strong growth in long duration retail lifetime annuities (up 22%) and MS Primary Japanese annuities (up 33%). Fixed term annuity sales also grew 15%.

Challenger Life remains strongly capitalised with a PCA ratio of 1.62 times, and the company has tightened its FY25 normalised net profit after tax guidance to a range of between $450 million and $465 million, representing 10% growth on FY24.

Challenger is optimistic about the government and regulatory focus on delivering a retirement system for Australians, and the company looks forward to APRA's forthcoming changes to insurance capital standards, which will support significant growth in the lifetime income market.