The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having a tough finish to the week. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is down 1.45% to 7,743.4 points.
Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back are listed below. Here's why they are rising:
Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN)
The Ansell share price is up almost 4% to $30.50. Investors have been buying this health and safety products company's shares following the release of an update on expected tariff impacts. Ansell advised that it plans to fully offset the tariff increases through pricing and has had conversations with customers to this effect. It also stated: "It is worth noting that the vast majority of manufacturing in our industry is conducted in Asian countries now subject to US tariffs, and US industry manufacturing capacity for comparable hand and body protection products is negligible."
Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM)
The Capricorn Metals share price is up almost 5% to $8.43. This has been driven by the release of a broker note out of Goldman Sachs this morning. According to the note, the broker has upgraded the gold miner's shares to a buy rating with a $9.90 price target. It said: "With increasingly compelling growth projects at Karlawinda (expansion) and Mt. Gibson (one of few greenfield projects in the sector), both with emerging underground optionality (not in GSe base case), and a strong funding position to execute, we upgrade CMM to Buy."
Orthocell Ltd (ASX: OCC)
The Orthocell share price is up 7% to $1.53. The catalyst for this has been news that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted regulatory clearance for the regenerative medicine company's nerve repair product, Remplir. This allows for the commencement of sales in the US market. Remplir is a collagen wrap used in nerve repair surgery to assist surgeons to improve outcomes in the repair and regeneration of damaged nerves. Management estimates that Remplir has a significant US$1.6 billion market opportunity.
Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL)
The Sonic Healthcare share price is up 2% to $26.42. This also appears to have been driven by a broker note out of Goldman Sachs this morning. It has initiated coverage on the healthcare company with a buy rating and $32.20 price target. The broker said: "Funding reforms in Germany are a headwind to growth but unlikely to come as a surprise to investors given the industry's track record of withstanding cuts to reimbursement. The cost reduction initiatives in the US and synergies from the Medisyn & Dr Risch Group (Swiss acquisitions), however will assist to deliver earnings ahead of Visible Alpha Consensus (Gse: +6% FY25 EPS cons)."
