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News.com.au
04-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
ASX April Tech Winners: Tech sector pulls off market gymnastic to land on its feet, with defence stocks and Harvest Tech on top
Tech gets its groove back with help from Wall Street and RBA Defence tech darlings like WhiteHawk and Elsight grab the spotlight Harvest Tech goes global, Droneshield fires again In April 2025, the ASX tech sector finally got its mojo back, punching out a near 6% gain and coming in just behind telcos for the month. It marked a significant rebound for tech stocks, especially when the sector had been the worst performer in March. Tech stocks managed to rally through the tariff chaos. Part of the lift also came from the RBA finally getting inflation back in the zone. With trimmed mean inflation dipping to 2.9% – the first time it's landed within the 2-3% target in almost four years – markets started whispering about rate cuts. ANZ thinks a 25bps this month is a near cert. And in that kind of setup, tech stocks usually shine. Lower rates are like oxygen for growth stocks, and suddenly investors are leaning back in. The US tech scene was lighting up too. Wall Street was rallying with the Nasdaq and S&P both ticking higher during the month, thanks to a fresh wave of optimism around the big global names after seeing off the worst of the post-Liberation Day sell off. Aussie tech tends to follow Wall Street's lead, and this time was no different. When the big dogs bark, the pack moves. The big bonus came when Donald Trump stepped in with some tariff relief, cutting a break for consumer tech gear like smartphones and chips, before winding back some of his rhetoric on China and the US' other trade partners. That took some pressure off and gave global tech a bit more breathing room, another tailwind that carried over to local players. Put all that together, and April found a sweet spot for ASX tech — a mix of cooling inflation, global momentum, and a bit of policy luck, giving the sector the boost it was hanging out for. ASX tech winners in April Code Name Price Month % Change Market Cap WHK Whitehawk Limited 0.015 88% $10,794,154 HTG Harvest Tech Grp Ltd 0.020 54% $17,918,935 BDT Birddog 0.049 53% $7,912,815 UBN Ltd 0.805 45% $51,929,748 DRO Droneshield Limited 1.340 41% $1,171,280,813 1TT Thrive Tribe Tech 0.002 33% $4,063,446 ELS Elsight Ltd 0.450 27% $81,716,045 ASB Austal Limited 5.310 26% $2,236,466,034 BRN Brainchip Ltd 0.270 26% $546,950,268 SNS Sensen Networks Ltd 0.028 22% $22,205,049 X2M X2M Connect Limited 0.020 18% $7,566,825 AVA AVA Risk Group Ltd 0.105 17% $30,499,563 KNO Knosys Limited 0.043 16% $9,293,964 CAT Catapult Grp Int Ltd 4.090 16% $1,110,124,675 EOL Energy One Limited 12.550 15% $393,196,307 DUB Dubber Corp Ltd 0.041 14% $107,558,066 EIQ Echoiq Ltd 0.330 14% $194,211,944 MP1 Megaport Limited 11.420 14% $1,835,759,096 AJX Alexium Int Group 0.009 13% $14,277,858 SPZ Smart Parking Ltd 0.865 12% $354,782,268 DTZ Dotz Nano Ltd 0.075 12% $42,817,322 FND Findi Limited 4.600 11% $284,285,617 WTC Wisetech Global Ltd 88.520 11% $29,615,314,049 HSN Hansen Technologies 5.410 10% $1,102,731,753 ESK Etherstack PLC 0.285 10% $37,669,021 DWG Dataworks Group 0.175 9% $17,889,208 KYP Kinatico Ltd 0.180 9% $77,776,557 BCC Beam Communications 0.099 8% $8,555,770 ATA Atturralimited 0.875 7% $333,959,567 FCL Fineos Corp Hold PLC 2.190 7% $741,314,266 AMO Ambertech Limited 0.160 7% $15,264,765 YOJ Yojee Limited 0.175 6% $55,975,125 FCT Firstwave Cloud Tech 0.018 6% $30,843,336 AT1 Atomo Diagnostics 0.018 6% $11,505,642 TNE Technology One 30.060 5% $9,840,698,342 XRO Xero Ltd 164.190 5% $25,222,482,282 360 Life360 Inc. 21.940 5% $3,862,333,002 TYR Tyro Payments 0.805 5% $425,319,795 SKO Serko 3.490 4% $429,711,021 DCC Digitalx Limited 0.052 4% $62,588,442 CF1 Complii Fintech Ltd 0.027 4% $15,427,628 VIG Victor Group Hldgs 0.062 3% $40,438,054 AR9 Archtis Limited 0.064 3% $18,429,898 OCL Objective Corp 15.650 3% $1,495,956,050 BTH Bigtincan Hldgs Ltd 0.215 2% $176,660,326 GTK Gentrack Group Ltd 10.800 2% $1,163,396,477 OEC Orbital Corp Limited 0.090 2% $14,830,175 CCR Credit Clear 0.235 2% $99,792,431 PPS Praemium Limited 0.745 2% $355,897,805 XYZ Block Inc 92.300 2% $5,191,834,942 QHL Quickstep Holdings 0.575 2% $41,242,573 DTL Data#3 Limited 7.280 2% $1,127,732,664 CPU Computershare Ltd 40.720 1% $23,804,505,004 NXT Nextdc Limited 11.830 1% $7,576,122,345 DSE Dropsuite Ltd 5.810 1% $412,442,372 WhiteHawk (ASX:WHK) Cybersecurity firm Whitehawk's shares soared after landing a major cyber deal in the US, teaming up with Knexus Research and a few big-name players on a government-wide contract worth up to US$920 million over 10 years. WHK is the only cyber partner on the team, which beat out 22 other groups to win the deal. The contract doesn't bring in cash straight away, it's task-based, so the dollars flow as the work gets handed out. But thanks to a White House order pushing more federal spending into deals like this, WhiteHawk reckons there's big recurring revenue potential ahead. WHK's role will be to roll out cyber risk tools to help US agencies fight fraud and foreign threats. Harvest Technology Group (ASX:HTG) During the month of April, Harvest listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, giving it a foot in the door to Europe's massive capital markets without issuing new shares. The move is aimed at building visibility and drawing in more European investors across key sectors like defence, telco, aerospace, and maritime, where demand for its low-bandwidth, secure video tech is on the rise. The listing lines up with HTG's growing customer base in Europe, where its Nodestream platform is already making rapid traction. HTG is now planning a roadshow across the continent in June, catching up with customers and pitching to high-level investors. No dilution, low cost, and a shot at global growth, HTG reckons this move is right on target. Urbanise (ASX:UBN) During the month, Urbanise reported its performance year for FY24. The company tightened its focus and set itself up for longer-term growth. It brought in a new Chairman, Darc Rasmussen, who saw straight away that Urbanise could lead the way in strata and facilities management software. The company is now running hard on a three-part game plan: grow its customer base, deliver more value through smart features, and connect clients with service providers directly through its platform. Over the year, it locked in $1.04 million in new recurring revenue, added clever new tools like predictive analytics, and slashed operating costs by 14% thanks to better cash flow and fewer bespoke projects. The plan is to hit cash flow sustainability by FY25, and the company said it's laser-focused on making it happen. DroneShield (ASX:DRO) Droneshield rose after locking in five fresh defence contracts worth $32.2 million from a military customer in the Asia Pacific during April, via a big-name global reseller. The company will deliver counterdrone gear through Q2 and Q3 next year, with payments expected during that time. The new deals follow $12.3 million in previous orders from the same buyer, showing demand is ramping up as militaries move from trial runs to full rollouts. With gear that tackles next-gen drone threats, DroneShield reckons it's in the box seat as interest picks up across the region. Elsight (ASX:ELS) Elsight is entering a big new phase, locking in a $4.25 million deal with a European defence giant to deliver its technology over four months. CEO Yoav Amitai reckons it will not only give revenue a nice lift but also put Elsight firmly on the radar in the booming defence space. With war tensions driving up defence budgets across Europe and the US, Yoav says Elsight's drone comms gear is landing in the right place at the right time, giving unmanned systems stronger, smarter control. And even with global tariff noise around, the company said it's staying steady thanks to a spread-out manufacturing setup. Yoav said this recent deal in Europe just the beginning. ASX tech losers in April Code Name Price Month % Change Market Cap FBR FBR Ltd 0.006 -40% $33,813,791 ATV Activeportgroupltd 0.009 -36% $6,164,794 NVQ Noviqtech Limited 0.031 -34% $7,797,633 EPX Ept Global Limited 0.026 -33% $17,127,137 LNU Linius Tech Limited 0.001 -33% $6,151,216 VR1 Vection Technologies 0.018 -33% $27,549,994 IFG Infocusgroup Hldltd 0.007 -30% $1,754,886 3DP Pointerra Limited 0.060 -29% $48,304,608 SPX Spenda Limited 0.005 -29% $23,076,077 CT1 Constellation Tech 0.002 -25% $2,212,101 PIL Peppermint Inv Ltd 0.003 -25% $6,712,918 NXL Nuix Limited 2.430 -24% $803,681,994 GTI Gratifii 0.075 -22% $25,409,205 EXT Excite Technology 0.011 -21% $20,049,061 SP3 Specturltd 0.011 -21% $3,389,651 CGO CPT Global Limited 0.050 -21% $2,094,868 SEN Senetas Corporation 0.019 -20% $30,636,353 IOD Iodm Limited 0.145 -19% $89,401,807 ROC Rocketboots 0.081 -19% $11,795,694 FL1 First Lithium Ltd 0.065 -19% $5,177,484 OPL Opyl Limited 0.026 -19% $5,017,176 RDY Readytech Holdings 2.100 -19% $256,494,158 PRO Prophecy Internation 0.425 -18% $31,343,297 SLX Silex Systems 3.090 -18% $735,737,417 HCL Highcom Ltd 0.180 -16% $18,482,881 CYB Aucyber Limited 0.078 -16% $16,332,942 ASV Assetvisonco 0.032 -16% $23,659,570 XF1 Xref Limited 0.115 -15% $25,310,323 8CO 8Common Limited 0.018 -14% $4,033,708 EVS Envirosuite Ltd 0.072 -14% $104,306,666 W2V Way2Vatltd 0.006 -14% $5,604,001 WBT Weebit Nano Ltd 1.765 -14% $366,935,969 DTI DTI Group Ltd 0.007 -13% $3,139,860 EOS Electro Optic Sys. 1.225 -13% $236,366,321 XPN Xpon Technologies 0.007 -13% $2,537,090 LIS Lisenergylimited 0.110 -12% $70,422,025 OLL Openlearning 0.015 -12% $7,240,120 AXE Archer Materials 0.265 -12% $67,534,458 CXZ Connexion Mobility 0.027 -11% $22,174,299 NVX Novonix Limited 0.425 -11% $270,323,663 1CG One Click Group Ltd 0.008 -11% $9,423,039 BLG Bluglass Limited 0.016 -11% $29,448,965 HYD Hydrix Limited 0.016 -11% $4,364,302 SPA Spacetalk Ltd 0.205 -11% $14,926,476 VNL Vinyl Group Ltd 0.094 -10% $118,350,130 BEO Beonic Ltd 0.180 -10% $12,754,981 AI1 Adisyn Ltd 0.050 -9% $36,116,280 RKT Rocketdna Ltd. 0.010 -9% $9,155,232 RWL Rubicon Water 0.255 -9% $61,377,250 COS Cosol Limited 0.730 -9% $132,851,821 XRG Xreality Group Ltd 0.032 -9% $18,271,433 IFM Infomedia Ltd 1.240 -8% $469,240,416 SOR Strategic Elements 0.034 -8% $15,939,487 DUG DUG Tech 1.025 -8% $138,024,041 NOR Norwood Systems Ltd. 0.024 -8% $11,750,684 ODA Orcoda Limited 0.074 -8% $13,876,052 JCS Jcurve Solutions 0.025 -7% $8,258,586 5GN 5G Networks Limited 0.130 -7% $38,744,410 NVU Nanoveu Limited 0.039 -7% $28,954,779 QOR Qoria Limited 0.395 -7% $514,126,184 FLX Felix Group 0.200 -7% $40,899,943 IRI Integrated Research 0.410 -7% $72,714,610 MX1 Micro-X Limited 0.058 -6% $38,522,051 SMN Structural Monitor. 0.390 -6% $60,178,969 ACE Acusensus Limited 1.050 -5% $147,027,155 PPK PPK Group Limited 0.305 -5% $27,697,812 AD8 Audinate Group Ltd 6.140 -5% $511,815,627 ERD Eroad Limited 0.840 -4% $157,424,931 RUL Rpmglobal Hldgs Ltd 2.750 -4% $610,623,648 SMP Smartpay Holdings 0.770 -4% $186,296,467 NOV Novatti Group Ltd 0.027 -4% $14,657,783 4DS 4Ds Memory Limited 0.030 -3% $60,069,707 TZL TZ Limited 0.062 -3% $17,398,074 RKN Reckon Limited 0.480 -3% $54,381,519 JAN Janison Edu Group 0.165 -3% $42,881,562 DXN DXN Limited 0.034 -3% $10,155,924 IKE Ikegps Group Ltd 0.715 -3% $115,159,825 PHX Pharmx Technologies 0.077 -3% $46,085,023 BVS Bravura Solution Ltd 2.190 -2% $981,895,264 IRE IRESS Limited 7.950 -2% $1,484,976,318 CDA Codan Limited 15.750 -2% $2,859,740,762 EML EML Payments Ltd 0.975 -2% $372,343,316 VGL Vista Group Int Ltd 3.280 -1% $783,376,770 This story does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decision.
News.com.au
01-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
ASX Tech Quarterly Wrap: AI, semiconductor and counter-drone players in focus
Special Report: It's been a topsy-turvy start to 2025 for the ASX tech sector, weighed down by global geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and concerns over President Donald Trump's proposed Liberation Day tariffs. Markets see-sawed as investors turned risk-off in response to high initial tariffs on US trading partners and the threat of a trade war with China. After a strong start in January, the S&P/ASX Information Technology Index slumped through February and March, before regaining ground in April as Trump softened his stance on global tariffs and China. Against this backdrop, here's how some ASX tech stocks have advanced over the past quarter. DroneShield (ASX:DRO) DroneShield, which specialises in tech for drone detection and security, kicked off 2025 with a bang, delivering a record $33.5 million in revenue for the March quarter, more than double the amount it pulled in this time last year. That's already higher than any previous full year, and it's still early days. With $94.4 million already locked in through purchase orders for 2025 delivery, it's shaping up to be a bumper year for the company. Cash receipts hit $16.7 million in the quarter, also more than double year-on-year. And while some of that revenue hasn't landed in the bank just yet, due to timing of deliveries, it's in the pipe. SaaS revenue is climbing, too, up nearly 200% to $1.67m, as customers lean into DroneShield's AI-powered software upgrades for drone detection and response. A bunch of new subscription tools are also in the works to push recurring revenue even further. On the tech front, DroneShield is pouring cash into R&D and prepping its next-gen products for 2026. It's still betting big on radio frequency as the backbone of drone detection, and is bundling in other sensors as needed for clients who want the full kit in one clean package. The company rolled out new variants of its flagship DroneGun and RfPatrol kits in the quarter to meet rising demand. With $197 million in the bank and no debt, DroneShield's balance sheet is rock solid. The pipeline is quite fat, $1.6 billion worth of opportunities, with Europe, Asia and the US leading the charge. Defence spending across the globe is on the rise, especially in Europe with the €800 billion ReArm plan, and in the US under a new US$1 trillion defence budget. In April, which is after the quarter-end, Droneshield locked in five fresh defence contracts worth $32.2m from a military customer in the Asia Pacific via a big-name global reseller. DroneShield is also finding new legs in non-military markets, with growing demand from airports and police forces rolling out 'Drone as First Responder' systems. The company is sitting on $70m in inventory, ready to ship. Decidr Ai Industries (ASX:DAI) During Q3 FY25 the company formally changed its name from Live Verdure to Decidr AI. Decidr said the board believes the name change better communicates its core activities and long-term vision as an artificial intelligence (AI)-native business focused on building and commercialising horizontal Agentic AI technology across diverse industries. The name change followed the company's acquisition of a controlling 51% stake in Pty Ltd in December 2024. During the quarter Decidr secured several new multi-year subscriptions with Australian and US customers, across finance, manufacturing, advertising, and lending, which the company said showcased agility and scalability of its AI platform. Delivery of won contracts began in March 2025, resulting in annualised revenue of $1m, in Decidr's first full quarter of commercialisation. Global strategic partnerships were signed with BeeRoll, Go1 and Amazon Web Services (AWS), further expanding Decidr's embedded partnership commercial model complementing existing partnerships with CareerOne and ELMO Software. Decidr said while its partnership with CareerOne was not due for full launch until Q4 FY25, it delivered early revenue following the beta launch of ApplyPass, an AI-powered matching engine built using Decidr's core technology. ApplyPass forms the foundation for two upcoming products – the AI Recruiter for employers and the Talent Agent for jobseekers. Decidr's Edible Beauty business maintained its positive e-commerce trajectory with strong online sales during the quarter. The company reported e-commerce sales in Q3 grew 35% on prior corresponding period (pcp), driven by strong focus on new customer acquisition and increasing average order value. During March, the company raised capital of $11m from an oversubscribed institutional placement. It also raised ~$700,000 from the conversion of unlisted options, from existing, supportive shareholders. Decidr ended with the quarter with a cash position of $11.1m, which it said provided sufficient runway over the medium term. Adisyn (ASX:AI1) In early January, the ambitious player in the semiconductor industry completed its 100% acquisition of 2DG, which has developed a patented graphene process to facilitate smaller, faster, cooler, and more energy-efficient semiconductor devices. 2DG's innovative technology centres around the aim of improving the device performance by replacing the copper interconnect with graphene. Following the acquisition, Adisyn made several board and management changes to reflect its new strategic direction. Globally-recognised leader in the semiconductor industry Kevin Crofton was appointed chairman, while 2DG founder and CEO Arye Kohavi became a non-executive director. Australian-based technology entrepreneur Mr Dominic O'Hanlon appointed as non-executive director. During the quarter Adisyn entered a partnership deal with Jan Koum Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at Tel Aviv University (TAU), which includes access to a Automic Layer Deposition Machine to accelerate the development of graphene-based interconnects for next generation semiconductors. The company also strengthened its balance sheet after completing a heavily oversubscribed $10m placement, supported by domestic and international institutional and sophisticated investors. Crofton demonstrated his confidence in Adisyn by participating in the placement and buying shares on market. The company also entered into a binding heads of agreement with Metacorp Developments Pty Ltd for the divestment of its Miner Hosting business, which provides infrastructure and services for clients to facilitate mining of cryptocurrency. It has been determined to be a non-core, immaterial part of the business. Commenting on activities completed during Q3 Crofton said Adisyn was entering a very exciting period for the company and semiconductor industry. "Our technology has the potential to revolutionise next-generation semiconductor manufacturing," he said. "By collaborating with partners on chip design, lithography, and advanced materials like graphene, we aim to extend Moore's Law and push the boundaries of performance and efficiency. The company ended the quarter with a cash position of $11.1m, which it said provided sufficient runway over the medium term. At Stockhead, we tell it like it is. While Decidr AI Industries and Adisyn are Stockhead advertisers, they did not sponsor this article.
