Australian shares close slightly higher as ASX 200 edges up; Silex Systems rises, Temple & Webster plunges, check top gainers and losers

The Australian shares kicked off the week on a positive note as the S&P/ASX 200 closed up just 0.80 points on Monday (January 5, 2026) to 8,728.60. According to the ASX website, the top-performing stocks in this index were SILEX SYSTEMS LIMITED and NEXGEN ENERGY (CANADA) LTD, up 9.99% and 8.46%, respectively.

Over the last five days, the broader index is virtually unchanged but is currently 4.24% below its 52-week high.

ASX 200: Top gainers and losers

The S&P/ASX 200 recorded notable gains led by Silex Systems Limited (SLX), which closed at $9.800, rising $0.890, or 9.988 per cent. NexGen Energy (Canada) Ltd (NXG) also posted strong gains, ending the session at $15.510, up $1.210, or 8.461 per cent. Paladin Energy Ltd (PDN) advanced to $10.865, gaining $0.735, or 7.255 per cent, while Iluka Resources Limited (ILU) finished at $6.255, up $0.385, or 6.558 per cent. Lynas Rare Earths Limited (LYC) rounded out the top five gainers, closing at $13.015, an increase of $0.795, or 6.505 per cent.

On the downside, Temple & Webster Group Ltd (TPW) led the declines, closing at $12.900 after falling $0.850, or 6.182 per cent. Magellan Financial Group Limited (MFG) ended at $9.330, down $0.580, or 5.853 per cent, while Zip Co Limited (ZIP) slipped to $3.170, shedding $0.180, or 5.374 per cent. Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ALL) declined to $54.875, losing $2.345, or 4.099 per cent, and Superloop Limited (SLC) closed at $2.450, down $0.100, or 3.922 per cent.