SYDNEY — The S&P/ASX 200 index opened lower on Thursday, but select resource and technology stocks bucked the broader trend, delivering strong gains amid renewed interest in uranium and critical minerals amid global energy transition themes.

Paladin Energy Ltd led the benchmark's top performers, surging more than 11% as investors continued to reward the uranium producer's operational progress and exposure to rising nuclear power demand. The stock climbed to $11.85, extending recent momentum in the sector driven by policy support for clean energy and data center electricity needs.

Tuas Ltd followed closely with a 10.5% gain, closing at $2.21. The telecommunications company benefited from positive sentiment around infrastructure spending and digital connectivity growth in the Asia-Pacific region. Strong quarterly metrics and analyst upgrades contributed to the move.

NexGen Energy rose 9.37% to $17.16, reflecting continued enthusiasm for Canadian uranium assets with exposure through the ASX. Deep Yellow Ltd gained 7.95% to $1.63 on similar sector tailwinds, while Silex Systems Ltd advanced 7.67% to $6.32 as investors rotated into innovative technology plays tied to nuclear and semiconductor applications.

These top five gainers highlighted a clear theme: demand for energy security and advanced materials. Uranium producers dominated early trading as global interest in nuclear power as a reliable, low-carbon baseload source........

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