Pentanet led the technology board with a 53.33% weekly rise, while Ava Risk Group and Acusensus also posted strong gains. Software subscriptions, AI tools and cloud services drove many company updates, but some early share-price gains faded.
- Pentanet rose 53.33% after EBITDA increased 74% and cloud gaming revenue improved.
- Ava Risk Group gained 17.95% after appointing a new chief executive to expand in the United States.
- Acusensus climbed 17.35% after winning a Kentucky road-safety contract worth up to US$20 million.
- Kinatico, Reckon, Vista Group and Aerometrex reported stronger subscription or cloud growth.
- Several smaller companies raised cash to fund product development, inventory or expansion.
Pentanet led this week’s technology shares, rising 53.33% after EBITDA rose 74% to $2.4 million. Investors also bought Ava Risk Group (ASX:AVA), up 17.95%, after Bryant Henson was named chief executive with a brief to grow the United States business. Acusensus (ASX:ACE) added 17.35% after securing Kentucky work-zone speed enforcement orders worth US$2.1 million at the start, with a possible value of US$20 million.
Cloud software keeps producing growth
Subscription software companies delivered several of the clearest earnings gains. Kinatico (ASX:KYP) lifted SaaS revenue 37.5% and net profit 78.5%. Its shares rose 12.07%, although the stock had moved more since reopening, showing that some early gains later faded.
Vista Group (ASX:VGL) increased first-half revenue 12% to NZ$86.3 million. SaaS revenue jumped 38%, and the company raised its full-year revenue forecast to NZ$179 million, NZ$184 million. The shares gained 7.80%. Aerometrex (ASX:AMX) rose 9.62% after lifting its EBITDA forecast by 117% to 132%. MetroMap subscriptions were the main reason, but the stock also gave back part of its earlier rise after reopening.
AI is moving from promise to products
Block (ASX:XYZ) reported a 25% increase in gross profit and raised its 2026 forecast to US$12.51 billion. Cash App gross profit rose 31%, helped by AI tools and new hardware. Yet the shares fell 3.36% for the week. Investors may have wanted stronger evidence that the new products will lift sales quickly.
Unith (ASX:UNT) released an early version of its DEVA-1 model for more lifelike digital avatars. The company plans a beta release in September and full production by the end of 2026. Its shares were flat. Etherstack (ASX:ESK) grew first-half revenue 40% to US$8.5 million, but expansion costs reduced reported profit. The shares still rose 3.92%.
Contracts and cash shape the smaller stocks
FortifAI (ASX:FTI) gained 15.32% after live tests showed its NOL8 system could handle more data per infrastructure dollar than older software. The testing covered Sydney, Tokyo and the United States. The share price kept more of its gain after reopening than several peers, but commercial scale-up with design partners remains the next test.
Capital raising also featured. Spacetalk (ASX:SPA) secured $10 million for platform upgrades, inventory, a mobile-network migration and new devices. Yojee (ASX:YOJ) raised up to $9 million to expand its MOSAIC freight platform and TCMS software. These deals give both companies cash to build their products, but they also increase the number of shares investors must own before profits can grow.
REA Group (ASX:REA) reported 7% revenue growth to A$1.793 billion and a 15% rise in core net profit. Its shares rose 7.96% after realestate.com.au reached a record 12.7 million average monthly visitors. Reckon (ASX:RKN) added 11.76% after Reckon One revenue grew 23% and net debt fell to $1.5 million.
What investors will watch next
EROAD (ASX:ERD) fell 7.22% after naming David Leach as chief executive from October. The appointment supports an AI and software growth plan, but investors may wait for evidence of faster sales. AoFrio (ASX:AOF) reported a 21.5% revenue drop after United States tariffs cut motor sales by half. That shows how trade costs can quickly affect hardware businesses.
Upcoming dates matter. SKS Technologies (ASX:SKS) expects to release full-year results on 18 August, while Etherstack’s half-year report is due on 20 August. Unith plans its DEVA-1 beta in September. EROAD’s new chief executive starts on 12 October, and Spacetalk’s second capital-raising tranche requires shareholder approval in September.
Bottom Line?
The next stage for this group will depend on delivered results rather than announcements. Investors will have fresh evidence from SKS Technologies on 18 August and Etherstack on 20 August. Unith’s planned September beta, Spacetalk’s shareholder vote and David Leach’s October start at EROAD will provide further tests of each company’s growth plans.
Questions in the middle?
- Can Pentanet turn its stronger EBITDA into steady cash generation after such a large weekly share-price rise?
- Will Kinatico, Vista Group and Aerometrex maintain their subscription growth when customers face tighter technology budgets?
- Can Block, Unith and EROAD show that their AI plans create measurable sales rather than only higher development costs?