Electro Optic Systems Stock Jumps 18% After $45 Million Counter-Drone Orders
Electro Optic Systems shares surged 18.34% to A$11.74 after announcing US$45 million in new counter-drone orders,
Telstra Share Price Rises as Buyback Keeps Rolling, Outpacing ASX 200
Telstra shares closed at A$5.19 Friday, up 1.37%, after the company bought back 3.49 million shares for about A$18 million this week. The S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.14% and is down 6.32% in
Sunbelt Rentals Stock Price Rebounds After Forecast Lift, New $1.5 Billion Buyback
Sunbelt Rentals Holdings shares rose about 3% Friday after the company tightened full-year rental-revenue growth guidance to 2%-3% and launched a new
Antofagasta plc Stock Price Falls 5.5% as Copper Slips, Miners Reel
Antofagasta shares fell 5.53% to 3,503 pence on Friday, underperforming the FTSE 100 as copper prices weakened and mining stocks sold off
Why Imperial Brands PLC Stock Price Rose 2.4% as Buyback Rolls On Before Key Dividend
Imperial Brands shares climbed 2.37% to 3,201 pence Friday after the company bought back 12,064 shares for cancellation. The buybacks are part
London Stock Exchange Group plc share price rises as fresh buyback puts LSEG back in focus
London Stock Exchange Group shares rose 1.6% to 8,722 pence Friday after disclosing a buyback of 350,220 shares for cancellation. The company’s
Clough CEO Peter Bennett Dies at 59, Leaving Webuild’s Australian Arm Facing a Leadership Test
Clough said Thursday its CEO, Peter Bennett, has died at 59, with no cause of death given. Bennett led Clough through its 2023 takeover by Webuild and was central to its leadership. Interim arrangements will be announced later. Clough employs over 3,000 people and manages major projects including Snowy 2.0 and Waitsia Stage 2.
Microsoft stock price: MSFT holds near $402 as Japan antitrust raid puts Azure in the crosshairs
Microsoft shares closed up 0.3% at $401.72 Thursday after news of a Japanese antitrust raid on its offices over alleged restrictions on
CSL share price ticks up after buyback update — now the dividend clock starts to matter
CSL shares rose 0.08% to A$145.11 on Wednesday, ending a two-day decline. The company disclosed it bought back 83,519 shares for A$12.2
Infinix Note Edge review flags slim 5G phone with 6,500mAh battery and 4,500‑nit screen
Infinix’s Note Edge drew early notice after a review highlighted its 7.2mm slim body paired with a 6,500mAh battery, calling the combination
Sidephone SP‑01: $249 Modular ‘Dumb Phone’ With Swappable Keypads Opens US Pre‑Orders Ahead of January 2026 Launch
Sidephone opened US pre-orders for its SP-01 modular keypad phone at $249, with shipping set for January 2026. The device features a
Technology News 14.03.2026
LIVETechnology news rolling coverageStarted: March 14, 2026, 12:00 AM EDTUpdated: March 14, 2026, 10:44 PM EDT Vineland residents decry humming from 300-megawatt AI data center; officials probe noise March 14, 2026, 10:28 PM EDT. Residents in **Vineland**, New Jersey, say a constant humming from a newly built **300-megawatt AI data center** is disrupting daily life. The **Dutch**-built facility is part of a broader push to expand **AI infrastructure**. Neighbors report the sound is audible day and night and is affecting routines. Local **health officials** say they are investigating the source after multiple complaints. Residents also raise questions about potential impacts
Electro Optic Systems Stock Jumps 18% After $45 Million Counter-Drone Orders
Electro Optic Systems shares surged 18.34% to A$11.74 after announcing US$45 million in new counter-drone orders, including a US$42 million deal with a Middle East customer. The ASX 200 slipped 0.14%. EOS’s new contracts follow regulatory scrutiny over past disclosures and recent volatility triggered by short seller activity. The company’s backlog reached A$459.1 million at the end of 2025.
Telstra Share Price Rises as Buyback Keeps Rolling, Outpacing ASX 200
Telstra shares closed at A$5.19 Friday, up 1.37%, after the company bought back 3.49 million shares for about A$18 million this week. The S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.14% and is down 6.32% in March amid inflation and rate concerns. Telstra outperformed rival TPG Telecom, which ended at A$3.91. The buyback program is set to run until June 30 but can be suspended at any time.
Suncorp Stock Rises 2.6% as Buyback, Dividend and Flood Risk Come Into Focus
Suncorp Group shares closed 2.6% higher at A$15.62 on Friday, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200’s 0.14% drop. The company reported about 480 insurance claims from severe flooding in Queensland and the Northern Territory this week. Suncorp’s interim dividend of 17 cents per share is due March 31. First-half natural-hazard costs reached A$1.32 billion, well above allowance.
Westpac share price rises as traders bet on March 17 RBA hike
Westpac shares rose 1.1% to A$40.99 as investors anticipated possible rate hikes ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s March 17 meeting. Westpac economists now expect two 25 basis point increases, which would lift the cash rate to 4.35%. Other major bank stocks also gained, while the S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.14%. Westpac shares remain below their February record of A$42.13.
Lynas Rare Earths Stock Price Holds Weekly Gains as Fresh Japan MOU Broadens Growth Plans
Lynas Rare Earths shares fell 2.2% to A$20.70 Friday after the company signed a non-binding MOU with Japan Australia Rare Earths to expand cooperation on exploration and mine development. The move follows a March 10 supply deal guaranteeing 5,000 tonnes of NdPr annually to Japan through 2038 at a US$110/kg floor price. Lynas surged earlier in the week after the deal but remains above Tuesday’s close.
ANZ Share Price Rises as ANZ Stock Tracks Big Four on RBA Hike Bets
ANZ shares closed up 0.49% at A$37.20 Friday as investors anticipated a Reserve Bank of Australia rate hike on March 17. The bank named Tammy Medard as Group Executive, Business & Private Bank, effective May 1, and moved its half-year results release to the same date. ANZ’s first-quarter cash profit rose 17% to A$1.94 billion in February. Shares of rival banks also gained, tracking sector momentum.
CSL Stock Price Near 52-Week Low After Dividend Fix, Buyback Support
CSL Limited closed at A$141.03 Friday, near its 52-week low, despite confirming its interim dividend at A$1.809829 per share and repurchasing 83,264 shares for A$11.77 million. Shares remain down 43.6% over the past year after an 81% drop in first-half profit and the abrupt CEO exit.
Evolution Mining Share Price Falls 3% as Gold Drops and Northern Star Shock Hits ASX Miners
Evolution Mining shares fell 3.22% to A$13.51 Friday as weaker gold prices and a sector selloff hit Australian miners. Spot gold dropped 0.5% to $5,052.15 an ounce, while the ASX gold sector index lost 4.3%. Evolution’s board is set to review growth studies this quarter, with March-quarter results due April 15. Heavy rain recently forced a temporary suspension at Ernest Henry, risking lower FY26 output.
National Australia Bank Stock Price Rises: Why NAB Shares Gained on Rate-Hike Bets
National Australia Bank shares closed up 1.53% at A$47.11 on Friday, tracking gains in Commonwealth Bank and Westpac as investors braced for a likely Reserve Bank of Australia rate hike next week. Australia announced plans to release 762 million litres of fuel reserves amid shortages linked to the Iran war. Brent crude traded above $100 a barrel. NAB’s net interest margin rose to 1.80% last quarter, but its capital buffer slipped.
Fortescue Ltd Stock Jumps 4% as China’s BHP Curbs Lift Iron Ore Prices
Fortescue shares jumped 4.1% to A$20.49 Friday after China tightened curbs on BHP’s iron ore, sending prices to a two-month high. BHP fell 2.3%, Rio Tinto gained 3.1%. Fortescue set its DRP price at A$19.2518 for the March 30 dividend. The company also completed its Alta Copper acquisition in Peru on March 10.
Woodside Energy Stock Price: Why WDS Slipped Even as Oil Topped $100
Woodside Energy’s U.S.-listed shares fell 0.7% to $22.19 Friday, despite Brent crude topping $100 a barrel for the first time since August 2022. The company began drilling at its Trion project in Mexico and beat 2025 profit forecasts with $2.65 billion. Australian LNG plants are running near capacity, limiting near-term supply gains. Woodside is still searching for a permanent CEO, with several internal and external candidates in contention.
Batlow Petrol Shortage: NSW Town Runs Dry as Iran War Squeezes Australia’s Fuel Supply
Batlow’s only service station has run out of fuel, forcing residents to drive to neighboring towns for petrol. The federal government authorized the release of up to 762 million litres from national reserves but warned deliveries to regional areas would be delayed. Independent retailers cite volatile wholesale prices and supply risks. Authorities are investigating pricing and diesel distribution in rural regions.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia Stock Price Rises to A$173.76 as RBA Hike Bets Build
Commonwealth Bank of Australia shares rose 1.26% to A$173.76 Friday, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200, as traders bet on a rate hike at next week’s Reserve Bank of Australia meeting. Financial stocks gained 1%, while miners fell 2.1%. Analysts now see a 25 basis point rate increase likely on March 17. CBA’s shares remain up 20.7% over the past year, but consensus price targets sit well below current levels.
Northern Star Resources share price dives 19% after fresh FY26 gold output warning
Northern Star Resources shares fell 18.75% to A$21.75 Friday after warning it may miss the low end of its fiscal 2026 production target due to persistent issues at KCGM and Jundee. Gold sales for January and February totaled 220,000 ounces. The company now expects production above 1.5 million ounces, down from previous guidance. The next production update is set for April 22.
BHP Share Price Falls 2.3% as China Tightens Iron Ore Curbs, Then Softens One Ban
BHP shares fell 2.3% to A$49.80 Friday after China tightened curbs on the miner’s iron ore, briefly easing only on Jimblebar fines for a week. China Mineral Resources Group told buyers they would soon be barred from taking delivery of Newman fines. Rio Tinto and Fortescue shares rose as iron ore prices jumped. BHP will pay a 73-cent interim dividend March 26.
Sunbelt Rentals Stock Price Rebounds After Forecast Lift, New $1.5 Billion Buyback
Sunbelt Rentals Holdings shares rose about 3% Friday after the company tightened full-year rental-revenue growth guidance to 2%-3% and launched a new $1.5 billion share buyback. Third-quarter revenue increased 2.7% to $2.637 billion, but net income fell to $290 million. Adjusted EBITDA margin narrowed to 41.0% from 43.5%. The stock traded near $72, recovering from Thursday’s decline.
Antofagasta plc Stock Price Falls 5.5% as Copper Slips, Miners Reel
Antofagasta shares fell 5.53% to 3,503 pence on Friday, underperforming the FTSE 100 as copper prices weakened and mining stocks sold off across Europe. The stock is now nearly 10% below Tuesday’s close and 21.7% under its February high. Company updates this week focused only on board changes, with no new production or cost guidance. Investors remain wary as energy prices and inflation risks rise amid Middle East tensions.
Taylor Wimpey Share Price Today: Stock Rebounds, but Fresh Cost Fears Keep Pressure On
Taylor Wimpey shares closed up 1.13% at 94.68 pence Friday, still about 25% below their 52-week high. The company faces rising energy costs linked to the war in Iran and higher mortgage rates, while its 2026 profit forecast, sales rate, order book, and dividend have all fallen. Taylor Wimpey bought 5.62 million shares last week under its buyback program. Its next trading update is set for April 28.
Why Imperial Brands PLC Stock Price Rose 2.4% as Buyback Rolls On Before Key Dividend
Imperial Brands shares climbed 2.37% to 3,201 pence Friday after the company bought back 12,064 shares for cancellation. The buybacks are part of a £1.45 billion program announced in October. Imperial’s next trading update is set for April 14, with a final dividend payment due March 31. John Rishton will become chair in December, following recent leadership changes.
National Grid Share Price Near Record High as £70 Billion Plan Outweighs Ofgem Setback
National Grid shares held at 1,371.75 pence by 1553 GMT Friday, near their March 2 peak, after rising 2.51% Thursday. The company faces a £20 million Ofgem penalty over asset failures but recently raised its FY2027 earnings growth outlook to 13%-15% and extended its investment plan to at least £70 billion through FY31. Trading volume remained below the 50-day average.
easyJet Share Price Falls 3% as Oil Above $100 Revives Fuel-Cost Fears
easyJet shares fell 2.99% to 369.4 pence Friday, extending their five-day drop to 9.66% and bringing losses this year to 27.65%. Jet fuel prices have doubled since the Iran conflict began, outpacing oil’s rise and pressuring carriers. easyJet has hedged 84% of first-half 2026 fuel needs. The airline reports first-half results on May 21.
Intertek Share Price Hits 52-Week Low as Investors Look Past New Compliance Service (Investing.com)
Intertek shares closed at 3,734 pence Friday, down 3.86%, after touching a 52-week low. The drop followed ongoing investor concerns over weaker free cash flow, missed growth targets, and no new buyback in March 3 results. Hours before the close, Intertek launched Digital Product Passport services for supply-chain compliance. The FTSE 100 also slipped 0.4% amid flat UK GDP and high energy prices.
TP ICAP Share Price Jumps After Record 2025 Results, £80 Million Buyback and Dividend Rise
TP ICAP shares surged 10.7% after reporting record 2025 results and announcing an £80 million buyback, bucking a 0.9% drop in the FTSE 250. Revenue rose to £2.353 billion and pretax profit reached £230 million. The company maintained its 2026 outlook despite currency headwinds and said a possible minority listing of its Parameta data unit remains under review.
Experian Share Price Slips After ChatGPT Credit Score App Launch as Buyback and Score Battle Stay in Focus
Experian shares fell 0.62% to 2,738 pence Friday after launching a UK-first credit score app inside ChatGPT. The company also began offering VantageScore 4.0 for $0.99 per mortgage score, undercutting FICO. Experian bought back 224,000 shares on March 11 as part of a $1 billion repurchase program. The FTSE 100 closed down 0.4% amid Middle East tensions and flat UK GDP.