Ms King said the reserve would "help attract further investment and help the sector deal with potential future market disruptions".

Give these stocks a once over

I've had a look at some of the players in the antimony field, which might be worth a look now that the government will be intervening in a positive way in the sector.

One company that issued a press release on Thursday welcoming the new strategic reserve is Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Ltd (ASX: SX2).

As the company said in their release, their Sunday Creek project was well-placed to be a supplier:

The company welcomes this landmark initiative which recognizes the strategic importance of securing domestic antimony supply for Australia and its allies. Sunday Creek, located just 60km north of Melbourne in Victoria, represents one of the most significant undeveloped gold-antimony deposits in the Western world and stands ready to support Australia's critical minerals security objectives.

The company said construction had started on an exploration decline at the project, and Chief Executive Officer Michael Hudson was touting Victoria's historical strength in the sector.

Victoria has always been Australia's antimony state. Antimony has historically been Victoria's second most important metal after gold, with a heritage stretching back to the 1860s. During World War I, central Victoria's Costerfield mines were critical suppliers of antimony for British munitions. Today, Victoria remains Australia's only antimony-producing state.  

Another company with a well-timed release out on Wednesday was Resolution Minerals Ltd (ASX: RML), which reported new high-grade antimony and silver samples from its Antimony Ridge project, albeit in the US in this case.

These samples were taken from within historically-mined areas at the project, and the company said the results "reinforce the potential for Antimony Ridge to host a high-grade, strategically significant U.S antimony system''.  

New South Wales focus

Back home in Australia, and Larvotto Resources Ltd (ASX: LRV) is aiming to bring its Hillgrove gold and antimony project in New South Wales into production this year.

It's a substantial project, as the company says on its website:

Hillgrove is poised to become Australia's largest producer of antimony, expected to produce 7% of global antimony requirements when global supply is tightening and Western governments are prioritising strategic supply chains. Hillgrove has been mined for antimony and gold since 1857. With a rich history within the region, Hillgrove continues to provide residential employment opportunities and support for local business and communities.

And finally, Black Cat Syndicate Ltd (ASX: BC8) announced in October that new drilling had found visible antimony in the first four holes drilled at its Mt Clement project, which it said is "one of Australia's largest and highest-grade antimony projects'' with a resource of 13,200 tonnes at a grade of 1.7%.

The company at the time said it had appointed a manager to drive the project faster, "given the strong demand and pricing for antimony''.

The post The government is looking to stockpile antimony – these four companies can help you gain exposure appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Thursday's index peak was driven by a flurry of trading activity, particularly in the defence, technology, and rare earths sectors. And now, new data from CommSec reveals the Australian shares that were most traded by its clients last week, highlighting investor sentiment and market momentum.

Most traded Australian shares

CommSec's data shows that Droneshield Ltd (ASX: DRO) was the most traded stock by its clients between 13th October and 17th October. 

It's unsurprising that Droneshield shares made the top of the list, given ASX defence stocks are in the spotlight right now. At the time of writing, its share price has soared 11.52% higher for the day. The uptick follows an impressive third-quarter update, with the company an enormous 377.03% higher for the year.

Analysts expect a significant upside over the next 12 months, too. The counter-drone company is expected to build on its revenue growth and expand its sales pipeline. 

Next on CommSec's most traded Australian shares list are Novonix Ltd (ASX: NVX) and Arafura Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: ARU) shares.

Novonix shares have likely benefited from a spike in interest in battery technology for electric vehicles. Meanwhile, there has been a boom in demand for rare earths and heightened trade tensions between China and the US. This has likely ignited interest in Arafura Rare Earths shares.

Macquarie recently told investors that it expects the rare earths market to remain tight for the remainder of 2025. It also expects a supply deficit for 2026 and 2027.

Investors have been snapping up shares in rare earths producers after China announced plans to restrict the export of rare earths and the US threatened to put 100% tariffs on China. 

CommSec clients were also interested in Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC), technology defence manufacturer Electro Optic System Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS), and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares during the course of the week. Investor confidence in CBA shares was reignited following its annual general meeting (AGM) last week. 

Elsewhere, CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE), Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS), and Resolution Minerals Ltd (ASX: RML) shares completed the top 10 most traded shares by CommSec clients for the week.

The post Top 10 most traded Australian shares revealed appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.