The ASX is on track for its second straight day of gains, as markets remain buoyant into the Christmas break.
This morning’s rally followed an update from the US Federal Reserve overnight, which pledged that it will keep buying at least $US120bn of bonds per month to support the economy.
There was more good IPO news, as another two ASX debutantes rose strongly after hitting the ASX boards this morning.
Meanwhile, there was also evidence that Australia’s economy is getting back in the saddle with a big November jobs print.
The data showed a monthly gain of 90,000 jobs (forecast: 40,000), as the employment growth smashed expectations for the second straight month.
In addition, nearly all of the jobs added (84,000) were full-time roles, and Australia’s unemployment dropped to 6.8 per cent (forecast: seven per cent).
While stocks and the economy are looking good, NSW health authorities are on edge after two more positive COVID-19 tests were reported this morning.
Both cases were recorded in the Northern Beaches region, bringing the state’s total to five over the past 24 hours.
With lines forming at testing stations, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the state is planning to ramp up daily testing rates to between 15,000 and 25,000.
WINNERS
Here are the best performing ASX small cap stocks at 12pm Thursday December 17:
Swipe or scroll to reveal the full table. Click headings to sort.
| Code | Name | Price | % Change | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLY | Playside Studios | 0.31 | 55 | $ - |
| CI1 | Credit Intelligence | 0.033 | 38 | $ 28,978,830.67 |
| BRK | Brookside Energy Ltd | 0.009 | 29 | $ 9,450,000.00 |
| CGS | Cogstate Ltd | 1.04 | 25 | $ 141,214,814.73 |
| XTC | Xantippe Res Ltd | 0.0025 | 25 | $ 8,149,128.80 |
| DCC | Digitalx Limited | 0.098 | 24 | $ 48,917,485.48 |
| WPP | WPP Aunz Ltd | 0.695 | 22 | $ 485,726,565.90 |
| MLX | Metals X Limited | 0.125 | 19 | $ 95,262,937.04 |
| SCL | Schrole Group Ltd | 0.019 | 19 | $ 23,570,940.21 |
| WSR | Westar Resources | 0.235 | 18 | $ 6,007,355.00 |
| AEV | Avenira Limited | 0.014 | 17 | $ 10,354,233.82 |
| SHE | Stonehorse Energy | 0.014 | 17 | $ 4,738,677.43 |
| CBY | Canterbury Resources | 0.11 | 16 | $ 8,361,424.53 |
| TLG | Talga Group Ltd | 1.75 | 15 | $ 404,531,342.35 |
| UWL | Uniti Group Ltd | 1.68 | 14 | $ 894,296,025.08 |
| BDM | Burgundy D Mines Ltd | 0.17 | 13 | $ 37,388,188.35 |
| CVV | Caravel Minerals Ltd | 0.17 | 13 | $ 43,106,986.95 |
| SER | Strategic Energy | 0.034 | 13 | $ 4,800,006.18 |
| PGY | Pilot Energy Ltd | 0.043 | 13 | $ 4,925,361.18 |
| AYM | Australia United Min | 0.009 | 13 | $ 14,740,619.88 |
| RMP | Red Emperor | 0.013 | 12 | $ 8,929,977.19 |
Games developer PlaySide Studios (ASX:PLY) led the pack into midday trade following its IPO. The company raised $15m from investors at 20 cents per share, and looks on track to close above 30c on day one.
Lending company Credit Intelligence (ASX:CI1) also held its gains into midday trade following a capital raising.
Elsewhere, Brookside Energy (ASX:BRK) rose by around 30 per cent after announcing it’s now producing around 10 barrels of oil per day from its Mitchell 12-1 well in Oklahoma, USA.
And after receiving a buyout offer on November 30 at 55c a share, advertising company WPP AUNZ Ltd (ASX:WPP) rose sharply this morning after announcing its global parent company had sweetened the deal with a revised offer of 70c.
LOSERS
Here are the worst performing ASX small cap stocks at 12pm Thursday December 17:
Swipe or scroll to reveal the full table. Click headings to sort.
| Code | Name | Price | % Change | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAS | Bass Oil Ltd | 0.001 | -33 | $ 5,013,210.14 |
| XPE | Xped Limited | 0.002 | -33 | $ 5,378,586.07 |
| IKW | Ikwezi Mining Ltd | 0.005 | -29 | $ 28,455,000.00 |
| CGB | Cann Global Limited | 0.0065 | -28 | $ 45,750,873.30 |
| CLZ | Classic Min Ltd | 0.0015 | -25 | $ 30,536,536.61 |
| LCY | Legacy Iron Ore | 0.037 | -24 | $ 306,114,687.33 |
| MRD | Mount Ridley Mines | 0.004 | -20 | $ 17,176,065.22 |
| FZR | Fitzroy River Corp | 0.15 | -19 | $ 15,977,229.19 |
| HNR | Hannans Ltd | 0.005 | -17 | $ 11,971,227.23 |
| PXX | Polarx Limited | 0.032 | -16 | $ 20,591,397.97 |
| HAW | Hawthorn Resources | 0.115 | -15 | $ 45,024,607.76 |
| PNM | Pacific Nickel Mines | 0.05 | -14 | $ 8,037,326.10 |
| NET | Netlinkz Limited | 0.062 | -13 | $ 154,864,861.47 |
| SKN | Skin Elements Ltd | 0.062 | -13 | $ 23,980,104.66 |
| SPQ | Superior Resources | 0.014 | -13 | $ 19,054,465.31 |
| AKO | Akora Resources | 0.49 | -13 | $ 27,745,277.84 |
| SSM | Service Stream | 1.86 | -11 | $ 860,497,801.80 |
| CPH | Creso Pharma Ltd | 0.195 | -11 | $ 151,452,051.74 |
| KEY | KEY Petroleum | 0.004 | -11 | $ 8,855,676.57 |