Technology News 14.03.2026
LIVETechnology news rolling coverageStarted: March 14, 2026, 12:00 AM EDTUpdated: March 14, 2026, 8:08 AM EDT
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.