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ASX Midday Sector Update: Information Technology Stocks Gain, Energy Declines

-- Information technology stocks were advancing over 4% to lead gainers in midday trading Tuesday, as markets remained hopeful for an eventual peace agreement between the US and Iran even as a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz took effect.

WiseTech Global (ASX:WTC) and Xero (ASX:XRO), the two biggest stocks in the sector based on market capitalization, rose past 6% and over 5%, respectively.

On the flip side, energy stocks were declining less than 1% as oil prices again tracked below $100 per barrel.

Elixir Energy (ASX:EXR) bucked the trend and was advancing more than 16% after Euroz Hartleys said in a Monday note that the company is a key pick to tap the potential of the Taroom Trough, an emerging onshore oil and gas basin in Queensland that is gaining mainstream attention.

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Shakti Pumps (India) Invests INR100 Million in EV Mobility Unit

Shakti Pumps (India) (NSE:SHAKTIPUMP, BOM:531431) said it has invested 100 million Indian rupees in its wholly owned subsidiary Shakti EV Mobility by subscribing to 10 million equity shares, according to a Tuesday filing to the Indian stock exchanges.Shares of the company rose 1% in Wednesday's trade.With this, Shakti Pumps' total investment in the EV mobility unit has increased to 650 million Indian rupees, the filing said.The investment is aimed at supporting business expansion of the subsidiary, it added.

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Challenger's Fiscal 2026 Q3 Update Missed Consensus Across Key Life Metrics, Jarden Says

Challenger's (ASX:CGF) fiscal 2026 third-quarter update missed consensus across key Life metrics, with FM outflows significantly worse than expected, driven by institutional equity mandate attrition in both Australian and global equities, according to a Tuesday note by Jarden.The firm's redemption of all CGFPC notes on May 25 simplifies the capital structure, reduces the AT1 coupon burden, and is earnings-per-share accretive.Jarden sees balanced risk/reward for Challenger in the future, with catalysts including capital management flexibility from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority reform, as well as expanding retirement partnerships across superfunds.It lowered its fiscal 2026 sales forecast to reflect weaker institutional fixed-term sales, partially offset by higher retail annuity sales as partnerships come online.The investment firm retained its neutral rating on Challenger and raised the price target to AU$8.70 per share from AU$8.60 per share.

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Proya Cosmetics 2025 Profit Down 4%, Revenue Slips 2%

Proya Cosmetics (SHA:603605) posted 2025 attributable net profit of 1.50 billion yuan, down 3.5% from 1.55 billion yuan the previous year.Earnings per share slid to 3.80 yuan from 3.92 yuan, according to a Wednesday filing with the Shanghai bourse.Operating revenue declined 1.7% year over year to 10.6 billion yuan from 10.8 billion yuan.Shares of the cosmetics maker were up over 1% in recent trade.

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