Australian shares end week on a high: ASX 200 edges up as DroneShield boosts gains; check top gainers and losers

Australian shares snapped a four-day losing streak on Friday, as investors returned to bellwether financials and lifted the index to a one-week closing high, while a selloff in miners capped gains in a thin session. The S&P/ASX 200 closed up Friday, gaining 13.50 points, or 0.15%, to 8,727.80 and crossing above its 50-day moving average.

This was reportedly the highest close for the broader index since December 24, 2025. Turnover was ‌about 40% of the 30-day average, with few traders returning to markets after the New Year holiday. The benchmark gained 6.8% in 2025, marking a third straight annual advance but lagging major global peers such as Japan's Nikkei and Hong Kong's Hang Seng.

The top-performing stocks in this index were DRONESHIELD LIMITED and NICKEL INDUSTRIES LIMITED, up 8.12% and 7.78%, respectively. According to the ASX website, the index has lost 0.40% for the last five days but has gained 6.42% over the last 52 weeks.

S&P/ASX 200: Top gainers and losers

The S&P/ASX 200 recorded notable movements across several stocks, with strong gains seen among select companies. DroneShield Limited (DRO) led the top performers, closing at $3.330, up $0.250, representing a gain of 8.116 per cent. Nickel Industries Limited (NIC) followed, ending the session at $0.900 after rising $0.065, an increase of 7.784 per cent.

Further gains were recorded by Deep Yellow Limited (DYL), which finished at $1.945, up $0.105, or 5.706 per cent. Paladin Energy Ltd (PDN) also advanced, closing at $10.130 after adding $0.540, a rise of 5.630 per cent. Rounding out the top five gainers was Pantoro Gold Limited (PNR), which climbed $0.270 to $5.160, marking a 5.521 per cent increase.

On the downside, Northern Star Resources Ltd (NST) led the declines on the index, closing at $24.430 after falling $2.300, a drop of 8.605 per cent. Capstone Copper Corp. (CSC) also weakened, ending the day at $14.510, down $0.650, or 4.288 per cent.

Meanwhile, Life360 Inc. (360) slipped $1.070 to close at $32.460, a decline of 3.192 per cent. Losses were more modest for Lynas Rare Earths Limited (LYC), which fell $0.220 to $12.220, down 1.769 per cent, while Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ALL) eased $0.960 to finish at $57.220, a decline of 1.651 per cent.