This jubilant hump day session for ASX shares comes after an even more euphoric morning on the American markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was off to the races, gaining 2.49%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) put the turbocharger on though, exploding 3.83% higher.

Let's get back to the local markets now and see how today's gains filtered down into the different ASX sectors.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

By the time trading wrapped up, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had gained a pleasing 1.85%. That lifts the index up to 8,534.3 points.

This happy Wednesday for the local markets comes despite a far more bearish morning over on Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) couldn't quite stick the landing, dropping 0.18%

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared even worse, falling by 0.84%.

But let's get back to the ASX now and dig into what was going on amongst the various ASX sectors today.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back are listed below. Here's why they are rising:

Cedar Woods Properties Ltd (ASX: CWP)

The Cedar Woods share price is up 5% to $8.36. Investors have been buying the property company's shares following the release of a strong half-year result. Cedar Woods reported record net profit after tax of $39.6 million. This was up 163% on the previous corresponding period. In addition, management upgraded its FY 2026 guidance. It now expects net profit after tax growth of 30% to 35%. This is up from its previous guidance for a minimum of 20%. Cedar Woods' managing director, Nathan Blackburne, said: "This exceptional first half result helps set the Company up for a record full year profit result. We are upgrading guidance to 30% to 35% NPAT growth, a result that will deliver very strong shareholder return metrics. The upgrade has been made possible by strong sales conditions which has enabled additional price growth, further settlements and significantly lower marketing spend."

Clearview Wealth Ltd (ASX: CVW)

The Clearview Wealth share price is up 17% to 62.5 cents. This has been driven by takeover news. ClearView advised that it has entered into a scheme implementation deed with Zurich Financial Services Australia. Under the terms of the scheme, ClearView shareholders will receive cash consideration of 65 cents per share.

Emerald Resources NL (ASX: EMR)

The Emerald Resources share price is up 3% to $6.84. This has been driven by the gold miner's half-year results release. Emerald Resources reported a 7% increase in revenue to $257 million and a 23% lift in profit to $73.1 million. The company said: "Emerald's operating performance is underpinned by the consistent production achieved by the 100% owned Okvau Gold Mine, which has allowed the Company to invest in its growth strategy within its development and exploration portfolio, whilst strengthening its cash and bullion position."

Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND)

The Monadelphous share price is up 8% to $33.09. Investors have been buying this diversified services company's shares after it released its half-year results. Monadelphous reported a 52.6% increase in net profit after tax to $64.9 million. The company's managing director, Zoran Bebic, said: "Long-term demand in the resources and energy sectors is expected to continue, supported by an improved global economic growth outlook. Continued investment in new and existing operations in Western Australia's iron ore sector is driving demand for both maintenance and construction services, with the energy sector to offer substantial prospects."

The post Why Cedar Woods, Clearview, Emerald Resources, and Monadelphous shares are racing higher appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Emerald Resources report?

• Revenue increased 7% to $257.0 million (HY24: $239.7 million)
• NPAT up 23% to $73.1 million (HY24: $59.7 million)
• EBITDA rose 13% to $143.1 million
• Basic earnings per share: 11.08 cents (HY24: 9.09 cents)
• No interim dividend declared
• Net tangible assets per share up 21% to 75.59 cents

What else do investors need to know?

Emerald Resources finished the half with a strong cash position of $299.4 million and additional gold bullion and listed investments bringing the total to $372.7 million. The group remains debt free and unhedged, while its key Okvau Gold Mine in Cambodia contributed ongoing steady production.

Production at Okvau totalled 47,064 ounces at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of US$1,104/oz. Sales volumes were 43,678 ounces at a robust average gold price, and the company maintained full-year FY26 production guidance (105–120koz gold at AISC of US$966/oz). Beyond Okvau, Emerald pushed ahead with advancing its fully permitted Dingo Range Gold Project (WA) and Memot Gold Project (Cambodia), both of which reported resource upgrades in early 2026.

What's next for Emerald Resources?

Looking ahead, Emerald Resources is progressing feasibility and development studies at both the Dingo Range and Memot gold projects. These projects are now fully permitted and delivered significant increases to their Mineral Resource Estimates, supporting growth well into FY26 and beyond.

Drilling and exploration continue across core regions in Western Australia and Cambodia, focused on extending known deposits and targeting additional resource growth. The company also aims to finalise maiden ore reserves at both Dingo Range and Memot in 2026, which should underpin project timelines for future production growth.

Emerald Resources share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Emerald Resources shares have risen 67%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 9% over the same period. 

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What did Emerald Resources report?

• Gold production at Okvau Gold Mine reached 25,030 ounces for the December quarter, up from 22,035 ounces in the previous quarter.
• All-In Sustaining Cost (AISC) decreased to US$1,032 per ounce, a marked improvement from US$1,186 per ounce last quarter.
• Quarterly gold sales were 20,410 ounces at an average price of US$4,118 per ounce.
• Pre-tax operating cash flow of A$87 million was generated from Okvau operations, near the company's financial performance record.
• Group cash, bullion, and listed investments totalled A$372.7 million at 31 December 2025.
• Production and cost guidance for FY26 maintained: 105,000–120,000 ounces at life-of-mine AISC of US$966 per ounce.

What else do investors need to know?

Emerald continues to progress its growth strategy, with updated mineral resource estimates at both the Dingo Range Gold Project in Western Australia (1.41 million ounces at 1.1g/t Au) and Memot Gold Project in Cambodia (1.70 million ounces at 1.2g/t Au). Development approvals for both projects have advanced, including full permitting at Memot and near-complete approvals for Dingo Range.

The December quarter saw robust exploration activity: highlight intersections were reported at several prospects, including Freeman's Find and the Stables Prospect in WA, along with Granite Hill near Okvau in Cambodia. Notably, the company remains committed to strong ESG practices, progressing community and environmental initiatives such as extensive tree planting and biodiversity monitoring in Cambodia.

What did Emerald Resources management say?

Managing Director Morgan Hart said:

Our teams continue to deliver safe, reliable production at Okvau and grow the company's resource base with disciplined exploration and development. The updated resources at Dingo Range and Memot position Emerald for our next phase of Australian and Cambodian gold growth.

What's next for Emerald Resources?

Looking ahead, Emerald plans to release maiden ore reserves for both the Dingo Range and Memot projects, which will underpin final development studies and schedules. Ongoing drilling campaigns at multiple prospects are set to drive further resource upgrades and potentially unlock new mining areas.

The company is maintaining production and cost guidance for FY26, with steady Okvau output expected to support further growth and investment. Near-term milestones include project approvals at Dingo Range and follow-up drilling and development progress across both Cambodia and Australia.

Emerald Resources share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Emerald Resources shares have risen 97%, strongly outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

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What did Emerald Resources report?

• Measured, Indicated, and Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate for Dingo Range of 40.9Mt @ 1.1g/t Au for 1.41Moz
• Higher-grade subset: 24.2Mt @ 1.4g/t Au for 1.12Moz
• Ongoing drilling continues to show potential for resource extensions at depth and along strike
• Project now fully permitted for mining, with regulatory approvals granted in December 2025
• Maiden ore reserve and Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) underway and set to be finalised following this update

What else do investors need to know?

Emerald's drill programs at the Dingo Range are continuing, focusing on both open pit and underground potential. Recent drilling at the Boundary Prospect has returned encouraging high-grade results, and results from down-plunge extension drilling are expected in the short term.

The project is now fully permitted for mining, with a Clearing Permit approved following the Mining Proposal and Mine Closure Plan in late 2025. This clears the way for Emerald to move into project development once the works approval is received.

What's next for Emerald Resources?

The focus for the rest of 2026 is on converting the newly updated resource into a maiden ore reserve, finalising feasibility studies, and progressing the Dingo Range Gold Project towards development. Emerald also plans ongoing drilling campaigns to further grow the resource base and test the underground potential at several prospects.

With all key regulatory approvals now in place, the company is aiming to begin full development activities in calendar year 2026. In parallel, similar progress is underway at the Memot Gold Project in Cambodia, supporting Emerald's aspiration to become a 300,000 to 400,000 ounce per year gold producer.

Emerald Resources share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Emerald Resources shares have risen 107%, strongly outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

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The company said in a statement to the ASX on Wednesday that the project now had an indicated and inferred mineral resource estimate of 45 million tonnes of ore at a grade of 1.2 grams per tonne of gold, for a total of 1.7 million ounces of gold.

This was a 27% increase from the previous estimate, the company said, with a 22% increase in the high confidence "inferred" classification.

Future looking bright

Emerald Managing Director Morgan Hart said the company was progressing its plans well.

This update, together with the recent grant of the Industrial Mining Licence and execution of the Mineral Investment Agreement, positions the Project to commence development in 2026. Ongoing exploration work, including extensional drilling at Memot, is expected to further expand on the resource and future reserves. "Progress at the Memot Gold Project, together with continued advancement of our 100% owned Dingo Range Gold Project in Western Australia and strong performance from our 100% owned Okvau Gold Mine in Cambodia, signals a period of significant growth for Emerald.

Mr Hart said the company remains "firmly on track to deliver its objective of becoming a 300,000 to 400,000 ounce-per-annum gold producer''.

Building a regional base

The company applied for a gold exploration licence at Memot, 95km from its Okvau gold mine, in 2021.

The company has since spent US$26.7 million on exploration at Memot, which it says equates to a discovery cost of $18 per ounce of gold.

The company is envisaging a contractor-operated open-cut mining program at the site, where it is continuing to drill for more resources, as it said:

The Memot Gold Project remains open along strike and at depth, with drilling ongoing to test mineralisation in both directions. Access for effective lateral extensional drilling targeting the north-east trending intrusion is currently being hampered by rice paddy farming. The current land purchasing program is underway and is expected to open up areas planned exploration drilling for additional resource extension.

A 16,000m infill drilling program has also started, designed to improve confidence in the mineral resource estimate.

Emerald Resources shares hit a record of $7.45 on the news before settling back to be 5.4% higher at $7.41.

The shares have more than doubled from lows of $3.24 over the past 12 months. The company was valued at $4.64 billion at the close of trade on Tuesday.

The post Why is this $4.6 billion gold company's share price hitting record highs? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Emerald Resources report?

• Memot Gold Project resource increased to 45.0Mt @ 1.2g/t Au for 1.7Moz
• Indicated category up 22%—now 1.2Moz of the resource
• Higher-grade resource: 21.6Mt @ 1.8g/t Au for 1.24Moz
• Resource remains open in all directions and at depth
• Project fully permitted after recent grant of Industrial Mining Licence and Mineral Investment Agreement

What else do investors need to know?

The resource update builds on drilling during 2025, following earlier resource estimates and now positions Memot as a key growth pillar for Emerald in Cambodia. The mineralisation at Memot remains open, supporting ongoing exploration and potential for further resource growth. A maiden ore reserve statement is expected to follow this resource update.

Emerald is planning an extensive extensional and infill drilling campaign through 2026, targeting both Memot and additional prospects across its 1,190km² Cambodian tenements and 1,110km² of priority ground in Western Australia. The company maintains a strong financial position, with significant cash, bullion, and investments on hand to fund project development.

What's next for Emerald Resources?

Emerald plans to advance development at Memot in 2026, underpinned by the upcoming maiden ore reserve and updated feasibility studies. Next steps include ongoing drilling to target resource extensions, improve confidence, and support conversion of resources to reserves.

The company continues to explore and expand across both its Australian and Cambodian projects, aiming to grow its annual gold production profile towards the 300,000 – 400,000 ounce range. Emerald also remains committed to strong environmental practices as project development moves forward.

Emerald Resources share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Emerald Resources shares have risen 101%, significantly outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

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The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

One of this week's top performers is a major online furniture and homewares retailer, another is an Aussie gold miner, and the third earns its keep devising novel means to protect sensitive areas from hostile drones.

Which companies am I talking about?

Read on!

2 ASX 200 stocks racing ahead of the benchmark

The first outperforming ASX 200 stock on my list is Emerald Resources NL (ASX: EMR).

Emerald Resources shares closed last Friday trading for $5.90. At the time of writing, shares in the ASX gold stock are changing hands for $6.28 apiece.

That sees the Emerald Resources share price up 6.4%.

There's no fresh news out from the miner this week. But Emerald Resources shares will have caught some tailwinds from the 1% increase in the gold price over the week amid increasing expectations of further interest rate cuts from the US Federal Reserve.

Gold is currently fetching US$4,318 per ounce.

Which brings us to the second ASX 200 stock posting strong gains in this week's slumping market, Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW).

Shares in the online furniture and homewares retailer closed last week trading for $12.63 and are currently trading for $13.63 each.

This puts the Temple & Webster share price up 7.9% for the week.

There's also no fresh price-sensitive news out from Temple & Webster this week. But shares are surging 8.7% today amid another share buyback announcement.

The company noted, "TPW may buy back up to 10% of its issued capital over the next 12 months without shareholder approval – price for any share buy-backs not to exceed 5% above the VWAP of TPW shares over the five trading days prior."

Flying ahead of the pack

Leading the charge higher this week, we find DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) shares.

DroneShield shares closed last Friday trading for $2.08. In afternoon trade today, shares are changing hands for $2.63 apiece.

That sees this ASX 200 stock up 26.2% for the week, despite Thursday's 12.1% plunge.

DroneShield shares got a huge boost on Wednesday, closing up 22.2%, after the company announced a new $49.6 million contract with a European military customer.

The contract with the unnamed customer entails handheld counter drone systems, alongside the associated accessories and software updates.

The post 3 ASX 200 stocks storming higher in this week's sinking market appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price rose 2.1% to a 52-week high of $45.49 per share.

The Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) share price lifted 3.2% to a 52-week peak of $23.38.

The Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) share price increased 2.6% to a 52-week high of $141.13.

Several ASX gold shares also ascended to new highs.

The Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) share price rose 4% to an all-time high of $12.63 per share.

Emerald Resources NL (ASX: EMR) shares reached a record $5.71, up 2.9%.

Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) shares lifted 4.3% to a 52-week high of $1.47.

ASX silver share Andean Silver (ASX: ASL) lifted 6.8% to an all-time peak of $2.34.

Some ASX lithium shares also recorded new one-year highs today.

They included Elvira Lithium (ASX: ELV) shares, up 2.9% to $6.67, and Lake Resources NL (ASX: LKE), up 19% to 9.4 cents.

ASX copper share Hot Chili Ltd (ASX: HCH) rose 7.8% to a 52-week high of $1.25.

The S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) closed 0.1% higher at 8,877.5 points on Thursday.

What's pushing ASX mining shares higher?

Stronger commodity prices are contributing to a surge in mining stocks this month.

Here is a snapshot of the strongest performers.

Macquarie's take on ASX mining shares

Earlier this week, Macquarie released a note on commodities and named its preferred ASX mining shares.

Among the diversified major miners, the broker likes Rio Tinto over BHP, but prefers South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) overall.

The broker has an outperform rating on South32 shares with a 12-month price target of $3.70.

Macquarie has a neutral rating on Rio Tinto and BHP shares with price targets of $130 and $43, respectively.

The broker has an underperform rating on Fortescue shares with a price target of $19.50.

Among the gold miners, Macquarie prefers Newmont Corporation CDI (ASX: NEM) over Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST).

However, the broker has an outperform rating on both ASX gold shares with price targets of $175 and $34, respectively.

Among ASX lithium shares, the broker prefers lithium and nickel producer IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO).

The broker has an outperform rating on IGO shares with a 12-month price target of $7.50.

It also has an outperform rating on Elvira Lithium with a price target of $7.

The broker is neutral on the largest ASX lithium share, PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS), with a price target of $3.80.

Capstone Copper Corp CDI (ASX: CSC) is the broker's preferred ASX copper share.

Macquarie has an outperform rating on Capstone Copper with a share price target of $17.

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Emerald Resources shares closed yesterday trading for $5.13. In morning trade on Friday, shares are swapping hands for $5.14 apiece, up 0.1%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.1% at this same time.

This modest outperformance comes after the miner reported before market open this morning on key regulatory progress at its 100% owned Dingo Range Gold Project, located in Western Australia.

And it now sees the Emerald Resources share price up 53% since the recent 1 August lows.

ASX 200 gold stock lifts on approval

The Emerald Resources share price is outpacing the ASX 200 today after the miner announced that the Mining Proposal and Mine Closure Plan for Dingo Range have been approved by the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration.

The company noted that this will be the first standalone mining and processing operation it has in Australia, with Emerald already owning several gold projects in Cambodia.

Emerald Resources received a separate Mining Proposal and Project Works Approval in FY 2025. The gold miner said that following this approval, it has continued to advance development activities at Dingo Range. That includes the practical completion of a $19 million, 264 room camp.

What did management say?

Commenting on the regulatory approval that could support the ASX 200 gold stock longer term, Emerald Resources managing director Morgan Hart said, "The grant of approval for the Mining Proposal and Mine Closure Plan for our 100% owned Dingo Range Gold Project represents a key milestone for the development timeline of the Project."

Hart gave a nod of approval to the "significant efforts" of the miner's experienced management team and consultants.

Hart added:

The amenity of the Project has now been significantly enhanced with the practical completion and commissioning of the 264-room camp which offers a modern and comfortable environment for attracting and retaining personnel for development and operations within one of the world's richest and most established gold regions.

Given our position as a debt-free, unhedged gold producer we are fully funded and well on track to deliver on our strategic objective of becoming a multi-mine gold producer exceeding 300,000 ounces per annum across two continents.

Investors can expect the ASX 200 gold stock to release a development update and timeline for the Emeral Resources Dingo Range Gold Project early in the 2026 calendar year.

Atop its own operational successes, Emerald Resources shares have been benefiting from the rocketing gold price.

Gold is currently trading for $4,205 per ounce, up 60% in 2025.

The post Up 53% since August, guess which ASX 200 gold stock is lifting today on 'key milestone' appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Emerald Resources report?

• Memot Gold Project now fully permitted for development and operations after receiving necessary Cambodian Government approvals
• Extension to the Okvau Gold Mine Mineral Investment Agreement allows import of equipment for upcoming underground development
• Memot Mineral Investment Agreement provides fiscal incentives including a 3-year import tax exemption and 5-year withholding tax relief for foreign affiliates
• Okvau Gold Mine life extended, enabling underground mining operations
• Significant measured and indicated gold resources across Cambodian and Australian projects
• Strong cash position: A$251.1 million as at September 2025

What else do investors need to know?

Emerald Resources' latest milestones follow a collaborative approval process with multiple Cambodian ministries. The Memot Gold Project's new Mineral Investment Agreement and Industrial Mining Licence give Emerald up to 35 years of project tenure potential, following an initial 15-year term and options for two 10-year extensions.

The Memot agreement delivers significant investment protections and incentives, including import tax exemptions and a five-year standstill on regulatory changes. The Okvau Mine's Mineral Investment Agreement has also been extended, reflecting confidence in Emerald's operations and growing underground mining ambitions.

What did Emerald Resources management say?

Morgan Hart, Managing Director said:

We are pleased to have the full licensing in place for the development and operation of the Memot Gold Project. Securing both the Memot MIA and Memot IML marks a major milestone for the Project and is a testament to the constructive and thorough collaboration we've had with the relevant government ministries and agencies.

Together with the Okvau MIA Extension which now encompasses underground mining activities, the Royal Government of Cambodia has demonstrated their strong and ongoing support for our current operations and planned expansion of mining activities.

In particular we would like to extend our appreciation to the MME, MEF, MoE and other government agencies for their collaborative efforts in finalising these approvals.

We look forward to providing updated timelines for the commencement of both the Memot Gold Project and Okvau Gold Mine underground expansion in the coming months.

What's next for Emerald Resources?

Emerald plans to submit the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for the Memot Gold Project to Cambodia's Ministry of Environment by April 2026, with finalisation expected ahead of development. Investors can also look for project commencement timelines soon, as stated by management.

At the Okvau Gold Mine, the expanded Mineral Investment Agreement paves the way for underground mining and a longer project life. Emerald is also exploring further growth opportunities across its Cambodian and Australian gold resource portfolio.

Emerald Resources share price snapshot

Emerald Resources shares have risen 46% in the past 12 months, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has increased 4% over the same period.

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Which stocks are bucking the selling trend and storming higher?

I'm glad you asked!

ASX 200 stocks charging higher

The first two companies leaping ahead in this week's slumping market are Greatland Resources Ltd (ASX: GGP) and Emerald Resources NL (ASX: EMR), both ASX 200 gold stocks.

Greatland Resources shares closed last Friday, trading for $7.13, and are currently trading for $7.56. That sees the Greatland Resources share price up 6%.

Emerald Resources also is enjoying a strong run this week. Shares closed last week at $4.74 and are currently changing hands for $5.15 each, up 8.7% for the week.

There was no fresh price-sensitive news out from either of the ASX 200 stocks this week, with both having reported their third-quarter updates last week.

But it appears both gold miners are rebounding from the broader sell-off in gold stocks that accompanied the 10% decline in the gold price from its all-time highs last week. Currently at US$3,999 per ounce, the gold price has been fairly stable this week. And a number of analysts are forecasting that the yellow metal's bull run has a way to run yet.

According to Saxo Bank's head of commodity strategy, Ole Hansen:

Gold's pause still looks like a breather, not a breakdown. Seasonal softness, temporary Chinese policy noise, and a firmer [US] dollar explain the short-term retreat, but none change the longer-term narrative.

The same forces that fuelled this year's rally … are likely to reassert themselves, making the next meaningful leg higher a 2026 story.

Leading the pack

Which brings us to the best performing ASX 200 stock on my list for the week, Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW).

Shares in the multinational gaming company closed last week trading for $109.47. In afternoon trade today, shares are changing hands for $125.35 apiece.

This sees the Light & Wonder share price up 14.5% in this week's falling market.

There was plenty going on with the company this week, with Light & Wonder reporting its September quarterly results on Thursday and announcing an extension of its US$1.5 billion (AU$2.3 billion) share buyback to also encompass its CHESS Depositary Interests (CDIs) on the ASX.

The ASX 200 stock announced the expansion of its share repurchase program from US$1 billion to US$1.5 billion on 31 July.

Highlights from the September quarterly results included a 70% year-on-year increase in net income to US$114 million.

And on the bottom line, Light & Wonder's adjusted net profit after tax and amortisation (NPATA) increased by 25% from Q3 2024 to US$153 million.

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You'll notice a trend among this week's top share price gainers. Namely, a golden trend.

That's because, after smashing through the psychologically key US$4,000 per ounce level last week, the gold price continued to tear higher this week.

Last Friday, gold was trading for US$4,017 per ounce. In morning trade today, that same ounce was trading for US$4,378. That sees the gold price up a whopping 9.0% over the week.

Taking a step back, bullion has soared a remarkable 64% over the past 12 months, according to data from Bloomberg.

Here's what's been happening in the markets this week.

ASX 200 stocks storming higher this week

The first gold miner racing higher this week is Emerald Resources NL (ASX: EMR).

Shares in the ASX 200 stock closed last Friday trading for $5.02. In early afternoon trade today, shares are changing hands for $5.52 apiece. This sees the Emerald Resources share price up 10.0% for the week. The Emerald Resources share price is now up 68.8% in 2025.

There was no fresh price-sensitive news out from Emerald Resources over the week, with investors likely piling in amid the soaring gold price.

The second ASX 200 stock storming higher this week is Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU).

Vault Minerals shares closed last week trading for 69 cents and are currently trading for 79 cents each. That puts the Vault Minerals share price up 14.5% for the week. The Vault Minerals share price is now up 134.9% year to date.

Of our five top-gaining ASX shares, Vault was the only one to release a price-sensitive announcement this week.

On Wednesday the gold miner announced a proposal for a 6.5 for 1 share consolidation.

Why?

As the Motley Fool reported on the day:

Vault Minerals' board is seeking shareholder approval for a significant consolidation of its capital to streamline its register and align with ASX 200 peers. Management believes this move will address the perception issues tied to a low share price and help reduce day‑to‑day trading volatility.

Also surging alongside the rocketing gold price

Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) shares are also shining bright this week as gold fever grips the market.

Shares in the ASX 200 stock closed last week at $5.69 and are currently changing hands for $6.42 each. This sees the Regis Resources share price up 12.8% for the week. Shares are up 148.9% in 2025.

Also enjoying the record-breaking gold price run is Newmont Corp (ASX: NEM).

Newmont shares closed last Friday trading for $129.25 and are currently trading for $150.73 apiece. This puts the Newmont share price up 16.6% for the week. Newmont shares have gained 149.6% so far this calendar year.

Which brings us to the fifth ASX 200 stock smashing the benchmark returns this week, Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD).

Genesis Minerals shares closed last Friday trading for $5.85 each. At the time of writing, shares are changing hands for $6.85, putting the Genesis Minerals share price up 17.1% for the week.

Year to date, shares in the Aussie gold stock are up 176.0%.

The post 5 ASX 200 stocks rocketing higher this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that are falling more than most today are listed below. Here's why they are dropping:

DigiCo Infrastructure REIT (ASX: DGT)

The DigiCo Infrastructure share price is down almost 6% to $2.88. This may be driven by profit taking from some investors after the data centre operator's shares raced higher last Friday. This was driven by news that the company has secured new customer wins from a combination of Hyperscale, Neocloud, Enterprise and Government customers. It notes that these new contracts would increase Digico's Australian contracted IT capacity to 41MW by June 2026. This is more than 57% higher than its previous target of 26MW. DigiCo's CEO, Chris Maher, said: "As we noted at our FY25 results, the Australian pipeline, customer demand and scale of deployments has continued to track ahead of expectations at the time of the IPO in December 2024. DigiCo is uniquely positioned to meet surging demand for high-density AI infrastructure – where performance, latency and connectivity are critical."

Emerald Resources NL (ASX: EMR)

The Emerald Resources share price is down 3% to $4.96. This follows news that production at the Okvau Gold Mine is expected to be approximately 22,000 ounces for the first quarter with an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of ~US$1,150 per ounce. This is short of its guidance for the period and has been driven by heavy rainfall during September, which restricted access to the high grade ore scheduled to be mined and milled at month end. However, management has reaffirmed its guidance of 105,000 ounces to 120,000 ounces with an AISC of US$950 per ounce for FY 2026.

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN)

The Harvey Norman share price is down 2.5% to $7.50. This has been driven by the retail giant's shares going ex-dividend this morning for its upcoming final dividend of FY 2025. In August, Harvey Norman declared a fully franked final dividend of 14.5 cents per share. This will be paid to eligible shareholders next month on 3 November.

Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB)

The Mesoblast share price is down almost 5% to $2.63. This may also have been driven by profit taking from some investors after strong gains in recent sessions. For example, the biotechnology company's shares remain up 10% since this time last week despite today's weakness. Last week, Mesoblast revealed that a specific Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System J-Code assigned to its Ryoncil product by the United States Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) became active for billing and reimbursement on 1 October. Management believes that formal recognition by CMS is a significant milestone for Ryoncil as the product becomes easier to bill and pay for.

The post Why DigiCo, Emerald Resources, Harvey Norman, and Mesoblast shares are dropping today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.