Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD), Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO), and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) shares are catching investor interest on Thursday.
Two of the popular ASX shares are outperforming the 0.6% losses posted by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) as we head into the lunch hour, while one is trailing that performance.
Here's why these stocks are making headlines today.
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Santos shares lift on quarterly revenue boost
Santos shares are up 2.4% at time of writing, changing hands for $7.62 apiece.
This outperformance follows the release of the ASX 200 energy stock's March quarter update (Q1 2026).
Over the three months, Santos produced 22.5 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe), up 1% from Q4 2025. And sales revenue was up by 3% to US$1.27 billion.
The company's free cash flow from operations of US$383 million was in line with Q4 2025. And management reaffirmed Santos' full-year 2026 production and cost guidance.
Commenting on the progress of the company's major projects intended to support Santos shares longer-term, CEO Kevin Gallagher said:
The Pikka phase 1 oil project is now mechanically complete with commissioning activities progressing well and first sales oil expected in the coming weeks.
The Barossa project has had a few challenges during commissioning. Pleasingly we have now replaced the dry gas seals on the compressors and the FPSO is expected to commence ramping up as we complete the flushing and cleaning of the heat exchanger trains.
The Quokka-1 appraisal well was a resounding success, confirming a high-quality resource that reinforces the strength of our Alaska portfolio.
Ampol shares gain on acquisition news
Ampol shares are also in the green today, up 1.2% at $33.20 each.
Investors are bidding up the Aussie fuel supplier following an update on Ampol's proposed acquisition of fuel and convenience store operator EG Australia.
Ampol reported that it has submitted a formal remedy offer with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
In a move to address competition concerns and achieve regulatory approval for the acquisition, Ampol has increased the number of sites proposed for divestment to 41, up from the prior 37.
The ASX 200 energy stock expects a phase 2 determination from the ACCC by 5 June .
Core Lithium shares sinking on Finniss update
Joining Ampol and Santos shares in the headlines today we find Core Lithium.
After initially trading higher this morning, shares in the ASX All Ords lithium stock are down 6.2% at time of writing, swapping hands for 34.7 cents apiece.
This follows Core Lithium's own quarterly update, in which the miner detailed the progress being made on its Finniss Lithium Project restart program.
"The March quarter was a defining period for Core, with Final Investment Decision approval and a fully committed Funding Package secured to restart Finniss," Core Lithium managing director Paul Brown said.
