Australian shares rally as ASX 200 extends gains; Imdex, Austal lead top gainers list, GQG Partners sees sharp drop; check top gainers and losers

ASX 200 Top gainers and losers: The Australian shares continued their momentum for the second time in the week as the S&P/ASX 200 closed up on Tuesday (January 13, 2025). The broader index gained 49.10 points, or 0.56%, to 8,808.50 and set a new 20-day high. On Monday the index gained 41.60 points, or 0.48%, to close at 8,759.40.

According to the ASX website, the top-performing stocks in the index were IMDEX LIMITED and AUSTAL LIMITED, up 6.76% and 6.72%, respectively. Over the last five days, the index has gained 1.45% and is currently 3.36% off of its 52-week high.

However, more sectors ended lower than higher, despite the gain in the S&P/ASX 200 Index. Among the top-performing sectors, materials was the best, gaining +2.02% and +1.90% for the past five days.

S&P/ASX 200: Top gainers and losers

Australian shares delivered a mixed performance, with several stocks recording solid gains while others ended the session sharply lower. Among the top performers on the S&P/ASX 200, IMDEX Limited led the gains, rising 25 cents, or 6.756 per cent, to close at $3.950. Austal Limited also advanced strongly, climbing 55 cents, or 6.723 per cent, to finish at $8.730.

Iluka Resources Limited posted a firm rise, gaining 39 cents, or 6.200 per cent, to end the day at $6.680. Ora Banda Mining Ltd followed, adding 8 cents, or 5.228 per cent, to close at $1.610. Greatland Resources Limited rounded out the top five gainers, increasing by 62 cents, or 5.171 per cent, to finish at $12.610.

On the downside, GQG Partners Inc. recorded the steepest fall among the top decliners, sliding 15.5 cents, or 8.636 per cent, to close at $1.640. ZIP Co Limited also came under pressure, dropping 27 cents, or 7.606 per cent, to end the session at $3.280.

Catapult Sports Ltd retreated by 31 cents, or 7.030 per cent, to close at $4.100. Viva Energy Group Limited declined 12 cents, or 5.798 per cent, finishing at $1.950, while Ampol Limited fell $1.500, or 4.816 per cent, to close at $29.650.