S&P/ASX 200 Rises as DroneShield Wins US Army Contract

The S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.87 percent to 8,784.70 on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. The benchmark index extended early gains fueled by strong performance in energy and gold mining stocks, which offset declines in iron ore miners and financial stocks. This growth occurred despite negative signals from Wall Street.

Individual stock movements were marked by significant volatility. DroneShield shares jumped over 10 percent after its U.S. subsidiary secured a contract with the U.S. Army valued at up to US$500 million. In the mining sector, Northern Star Resources surged nearly 7 percent following reports that Gold Fields was considering an improved acquisition offer for the company.

Conversely, Lindian Resources saw its shares plunge more than 23 percent following a trading halt. The company confirmed that a raw material export ban did not affect its project in Malawi, but the stock remained under pressure.