ASX gainers: Lithium, gold, and hydrogen stocks surge — DTR, WCN, HYT among top performers

The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) opened the week on 6 May 2025 with strong upward momentum across small and micro-cap stocks. Leading the gains were companies in the basic materials, energy, and healthcare sectors, with investors rotating back into speculative exploration stocks, clean energy themes, and biotech names. From high-grade gold exploration to hydrogen and lithium narratives, the top ASX stock market gainers reflected an aggressive risk-on shift driven by macro recovery hopes and policy stability.

Most of the leading gainers on the ASX were priced below A$0.10 per share, but several posted double-digit percentage increases, some exceeding 50%. Institutional sentiment tilted positive for higher-risk names, with elevated retail trading volumes and early fund flows observed in resource-linked equities.

Why Did Dateline Resources Ltd (ASX:DTR) Stock Jump Over 54%?

Dateline Resources Ltd surged 54.55% to close at A$0.034, on turnover exceeding A$2.37 million. The company’s recent success at its Colosseum Gold Project in California has renewed optimism among speculative gold investors. Strong assay results and higher-than-expected grades have reignited interest, especially as spot gold prices approach US$2,350 per ounce.

Dateline’s one-year return now stands at +240%, with a market capitalization of A$94.03 million. Retail traders and junior resources-focused funds are driving momentum, though continued drilling success remains key to sustaining gains.

What Drove White Cliff Minerals Ltd (ASX:WCN) Up by 43%?

White Cliff Minerals Ltd soared 43.48% to A$0.033, with trading volumes over A$3.1 million. The company is positioning itself in the critical minerals space, holding exploration tenements with rare earth and nickel potential across Western Australia and the Northern Territory. With magnet metals in focus globally, and domestic policy favoring strategic resource development, WCN’s low market cap of A$62.55 million makes it an attractive speculative play.

Why Did Somerset Minerals Ltd (ASX:SMM) Gain 21%?

Somerset Minerals Ltd rose 21.43% to A$0.017, on modest turnover of A$80,991. The miner has recently acquired new licenses in prospective base metals regions. Despite a small market capitalization of A$7.19 million, the stock benefited from broader momentum in under-the-radar explorers. It remains down 32% over the past year but could see renewed attention if exploration milestones are met.

What Propelled Australian Vanadium Ltd (ASX:AVL) Shares Higher?

Australian Vanadium Ltd added 20% to A$0.012, capitalizing on improved sentiment around grid-scale energy storage. The company is developing a major vanadium project in Western Australia and continues to benefit from vanadium redox flow battery discussions in national energy transition strategies. AVL’s market cap is now A$103.62 million, supported by state and federal engagement on battery innovation.

Western Mines Group Ltd (ASX:WMG) Sees Nickel Optimism Return

Western Mines Group Ltd climbed 17.24% to A$0.17, with A$24,674 in turnover. Its focus on nickel-copper sulphides in the Mulga Tank project is drawing speculative interest, particularly as nickel prices find support after a prolonged downtrend. Although the stock remains 52.78% down year-on-year, sentiment may turn if exploration updates confirm scale potential.

Waratah Minerals Ltd (ASX:WTM) Gains on Lithium Strategy

Waratah Minerals Ltd rose 17.02% to A$0.275, with solid turnover of A$425,618. The lithium-focused explorer has made strong gains year-to-date, with its one-year return at +129.17%. Its recent investor presentations highlight a clear development pipeline, aligning with growing lithium demand and investment appetite for scalable battery metals projects. Market capitalization stands at A$55.84 million.

Cosmos Exploration Ltd (ASX:C1X) Climbs on Speculative Buying

Cosmos Exploration Ltd rose 16.42% to A$0.078, on light turnover of A$1,000. With a market cap of A$8.07 million, the explorer remains highly speculative. The stock’s performance is likely tied to anticipation around potential resource definition at its WA tenements.

PREMIER1 Lithium Ltd (ASX:PLC) Tracks Sector Rebound

PREMIER1 Lithium Ltd rose 15.39% to A$0.015, with turnover just under A$1 million. The company’s lithium holdings are seeing renewed interest amid signs of price recovery in the global lithium carbonate market. Despite being 31.5% down over the year, the stock’s low base offers significant leverage to any sustained EV or battery sector recovery. Market cap is A$5.52 million.

Iceni Gold Ltd (ASX:ICL) Rallies on WA Gold Results

Iceni Gold Ltd added 14.82%, closing at A$0.062. With a market cap of A$19.09 million, the junior explorer is gaining traction due to promising structural targets in the Eastern Goldfields. Its one-year gain of 169.57% reflects steady drilling success and consistent retail demand for new gold discoveries.

Hyterra Ltd (ASX:HYT) Advances as Hydrogen Remains in Focus

Hyterra Ltd gained 14.71% to A$0.039, with a turnover of A$298,677. HYT is an early-stage hydrogen play, aligned with Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy and U.S. subsidy tailwinds. The company’s market cap is A$63.72 million, and investor sentiment remains tied to hydrogen policy developments and pilot project funding.

Locksley Resources Ltd (ASX:LKY) Rebounds from Flat Performance

Locksley Resources Ltd rose 13.04% to A$0.026. Having shown no movement over the past year, the stock’s modest gain today comes as the company re-engages with copper-gold exploration updates. Turnover was light at A$24,330, and its market cap is A$3.81 million.

INVEX Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:IXC) Moves on Pipeline Potential

INVEX Therapeutics Ltd climbed 12.5% to A$0.09. With A$7,055 in turnover and a A$6.76 million market cap, the company remains a speculative biotech play, but its neurological treatment candidate “Presendin” is progressing through mid-stage clinical trials, drawing renewed investor interest.

ST George Mining Ltd (ASX:SGQ) Rises with Nickel Sector Bounce

ST George Mining Ltd added 12.5% to A$0.027, with turnover of A$475,300. It is a well-followed explorer in WA’s nickel belts and is leveraging higher interest in sulphide-hosted deposits. Its one-year return stands at +42.11%.

Immutep Ltd (ASX:IMM) Extends Biotech Rebound

Immutep Ltd rose 10.66% to A$0.338, with strong volumes of A$1.41 million. The immunotherapy-focused biotech has been volatile this year but continues to attract biotech-focused funds. Its market capitalization of A$492.88 million makes it the largest cap among today’s gainers.

Clean TEQ Water Ltd (ASX:CNQ) Pops on ESG Momentum

Clean TEQ Water Ltd rose 10% to A$0.22, driven by low turnover of A$2,734. With growing concerns around global water access and waste management, CNQ’s filtration technologies align well with ESG fund mandates. The company’s market cap is A$15.89 million.

Future Metals NL (ASX:FME) Gains Despite Sector Pressures

Future Metals NL rose 10% to A$0.011, with A$242 in trading. The company has struggled alongside platinum group metals globally, but traders appear to be positioning ahead of potential exploration updates. Market cap is A$7.91 million.

Gale Pacific Ltd (ASX:GAP) Recovers on Consumer Demand

Gale Pacific Ltd advanced 9.89% to A$0.10. The company, known for shading and industrial fabric solutions, has suffered due to weaker retail margins. However, stronger-than-expected order flows may have contributed to today’s uptick. Market cap stands at A$28.46 million.

Buxton Resources Ltd (ASX:BUX) Bounces from Historic Lows

Buxton Resources Ltd added 9.68% to A$0.034. After a sharp decline over the past year (-72.8%), BUX is attempting to regain traction on speculative WA nickel-copper potential. Turnover was just A$1,020, and its market cap remains under A$10 million.

J.P. Morgan Climate Change Solutions Active ETF (ASX:T3MP) Rises with Green Rotation

T3MP rose 9.58% to A$60.72, reflecting broader ETF flows into decarbonisation-focused equities. Turnover was A$14,483, and the ETF has a market cap of A$1.82 million.

Rimfire Pacific Mining Ltd (ASX:RIM) Continues Uptrend

Rimfire Pacific Mining Ltd added 9.09% to A$0.024, on turnover of A$7,951. With market cap at A$60.43 million, RIM has benefited from farm-in partnerships and high-grade exploration near Fifield, NSW.

Institutional Sentiment and Market Context

Institutional appetite for microcap and junior resource names rose sharply on 6 May, aided by stabilising commodity prices and global risk sentiment. Retail traders led volume in sub-A$0.05 stocks, but early buy signals were also noted among small-cap funds and thematic ETFs.

Sectors tied to the energy transition—vanadium, lithium, nickel, hydrogen—drew the most capital, while biotech stocks like Immutep and INVEX showed strong correlation to clinical development milestones.

What’s Ahead for ASX Top Performing Stocks?

Future momentum in ASX stock market gainers will likely hinge on global central bank commentary, particularly from the Reserve Bank of Australia and the U.S. Federal Reserve. For sector-specific plays, upcoming drilling updates, grant funding news, and commodity pricing will serve as critical catalysts. Investors are advised to watch June quarter reporting, cash flow disclosures, and funding requirements as key filters for sustained upside.