Lunchtime ASX small cap wrap: Who’s flying miniature drones today?

The drone market has caused problems from privacy issues to airport shut downs but it seems we are powerless to stop it. The US Army seems to have realised it’s easier to work with drones than fight them.

And they won’t just be trialling any old drones but drones small and light enough to fit in your pocket.

It can still fly up to 2km for half an hour and has everything you’d expect from a typical drone including photo and video abilities. They will be used in Afghanistan from next month.

If you want to invest in them, FLIR is listed on the NASDAQ and is up 26 per cent this year. It is based in Wilsonville, Oregon. But FLIR doesn’t publicise itself as a drone company. Rather as a manufacturer and marketer of ‘technologies that enhance perceptions and awareness’.

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When we see American listed companies like FLIR and Beyond Meat its easy to think our markets are boring by comparison. But it is having another good day today.

As if record low interest rates weren’t enough, the Coalition’s promised tax cuts will happen now that Jacqui Lambie has agreed to support them.

The ASX Small Ords is up 0.28 per cent to 2,881 points while the ASX 200 is up 0.66 per cent to 6,729 points.

Going up

Pura Vida Energy (ASX:PVD) is up nearly 60 per cent after securing a strategic partnership and a capital raising for its Polish oil and gas project.

It seems uranium is hot right now. Last Monday, Hylea Metals (ASX:HCO) spiked after announcing it was buying a uranium project. Today Marenica Energy (ASX:MEY) has done likewise and the stock is up 28 per cent.

Here are the best performing ASX small cap stocks at lunchtime, Thursday July 4:

Swipe or scroll to reveal the full table. Click headings to sort

Going down

The biggest loser was Challenger Exploration (ASX:CEL) which slid 38 per cent after raising $5m and relisting. AVA Risk Group (ASX:AVA) fell by 11 per cent despite announcing it had won an Indian infrastructure tender.

Here are the worst performing ASX small cap stocks at lunchtime, Thursday July 4:

Swipe or scroll to reveal the full table. Click headings to sort

At Stockhead we tell it like it is. While Pura Vida Energy is a Stockhead advertiser it did not sponsor this article.