S&P/ASX 200 gives up early gains to dip 0.41%

S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) rose by as much as 0.4% in early trade but has given up its gains to fall 0.41% to 5936 by about 1.30 pm.   The index is on track for a 3% fall this week, the worst week since late April but the monthly performance in October is more positive, with a near 2.5% rise. Most of the sectors are in the red with industrials and IT among the largest decliners. Top gainers Today’s top gainers on the ASX include Cauldron Energy Ltd (ASX:CXU) (+8.93%), Cardiex Ltd (ASX:CDX) (+12.20%), Nanoveu Ltd (ASX:NVU) (+8.93%), Linius Technologies Ltd (ASX:LNU) (+8.70%), Australian Vanadium Ltd (ASX:AVL) (+10.00%), Eclipse Metals Ltd (ASX:EPM) (+12.50%) and Rimfire Pacific Mining N L (ASX:RIM) (+10.00%). Proactive news headlines: Strategic Elements escalates development of self-charging battery technology Strategic Elements Ltd (ASX:SOR) is escalating development of self-charging flexible battery technology under collaboration with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and will achieve scale-up of 1-litre of ink within the next four weeks. Lithium Australia subsidiary Envirostream receives Sustainability Victoria funds for battery recycling Lithium Australia NL’s (ASX:LIT) (OTCMKTS:LMMFF) (FRA:3MW) 90%-owned Envirostream Australia Pty Ltd has received grant funding of $201,399 from Sustainability Victoria under the e-Waste Infrastructure Grant Round 2. Pan Asia Metals advances diamond drilling at Thai tungsten project Pan Asia Metals Ltd (ASX:PAM) is making strong progress with its maiden drilling program at Khao Soon Tungsten Project (KSTP) in southern Thailand.