Source: Kapitales Research

Highlights:

• Technology and gaming-linked stocks advanced strongly amid upbeat investor sentiment.
• Block surged after reporting strong Q1 2026 earnings and raising full-year guidance.
• IperionX gained momentum as investors continued backing critical minerals and titanium projects.

The Australian share market saw strong gains across select technology, fintech and advanced materials stocks on Thursday, with investors responding positively to earnings momentum, AI-related growth themes, and expanding critical minerals demand. 

Among the standout performers, the top movers on the ASX:

• Light & Wonder Inc. (ASX: LNW) rose 6.65% to $109.49
• Block, Inc. (ASX: XYZ) gained 5.21% to $103.46
• IperionX Limited (ASX: IPX) advanced 4.36% to $5.50

Light & Wonder rallies on gaming sector momentum

Light & Wonder extended its gains as investors continued rotating into global gaming and entertainment technology companies. The stock has remained in focus due to improving operational performance, digital gaming growth, and optimism surrounding its product pipeline. Market participants have also been monitoring broader momentum in gaming-related technology businesses as global spending trends stabilize. The company’s recent share price strength reflected renewed investor confidence in growth-oriented technology names.

Block jumps after strong quarterly results

Block surged after the fintech giant released stronger-than-expected first-quarter 2026 results and upgraded its full-year outlook. The company reported gross profit growth of 27% year-on-year to US$2.91 billion, while Cash App gross profit climbed 38% to US$1.91 billion. Block said it now expects 2026 gross profit growth of 19% alongside significant 

adjusted earnings expansion.

Management stated that AI had become increasingly central to how the business operates, with internal productivity improvements and proactive financial tools supporting customer engagement. Investors also responded positively to the company’s improved guidance, with Block forecasting adjusted diluted EPS growth of 62% for 2026.

IperionX gains on critical minerals optimism

IperionX shares also moved higher as interest in critical minerals and advanced titanium supply chains remained strong. Investors have continued to focus on companies positioned to benefit from rising demand for lightweight, high-performance metals used across aerospace, defense, and industrial applications. The company has remained in the spotlight for its vertically integrated titanium strategy and its focus on sustainable metal production technologies. The growing global emphasis on supply-chain security and domestic mineral processing has also continued to support sentiment across the sector. The rally in these stocks highlighted ongoing investor appetite for companies exposed to artificial intelligence, financial technology innovation, gaming expansion, and critical minerals development, despite broader market volatility.

Note- All data presented is based on information available at the time of writing.

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