More than 30 ASX small caps have tripled this year – here are 2019’s biggest gainers so far

We’ve just passed financial year and the halfway mark of the calendar year. Stockhead recaps the top performing stocks in 2019.

The average ASX gain is just over 6 per cent but 31 stocks have gained over 200 per cent and 6 stocks have gained 400 per cent or more.

The roll of honour

By far and away the best performer is Netlinkz (ASX: NET). Its virtual networking technology allows people to connect over the internet invisibly and without fear of network failure.

In February it revealed its half-yearly revenue rose 1,797 per cent compared to the same period in 2017. Since then it secured a deal to commercialise its software in China following a successful pilot program with China Telecom.

Next was lithum miner Liontown Resources (ASX: LTR) which has had successful lithium results at its Norseman project.

It has been that great a year, it updated its Mineral Resource 353 per cent earlier this month, estimating 21.2 million tonnes at 1.4 per cent lithium. Of this, 83 per cent is measured or indicated.

Fellow West Australian miner Spectrum Metals (ASX: SPX) has gained 480 per cent, with gold instead of lithium being the catalyst for its growth.

Some of these stocks had quiet first quarters but then big news sent them rocketing. PainChek (ASX: PCK) is up 400 per cent and its growth began when it announced the Morrison government would be investing $5 million.

The 214 per cent gain of TinyBeans (ASX: TNY) began when it announced it would be hooking up with Lego. Further partnerships boosted it even more.

What about last year’s gainers?

But 2019 has been less successful for stocks that went on a run last year. 16 stocks gained 200 per cent or more over the first half of 2018 and only three sit higher a year on.

Retailer City Chic Collective (ASX: CCX) gained another 82 per cent in 2019. This allowed early investor (& Cotton On founder) Nigel Evans to cash out a $3 million investment for over $45 million.

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Animoca Brands (ASX: AB1) and Empire Energy Group (ASX: EEG) have gained over 65 per cent as well this year.

Animoca Brands’ rise is a clear endorsement of its numerous strategic partnerships including Gamma Innovations and first mover advantage in disrupting the global gaming markets with digital ownership through blockchain technology.

But much of the remainder of stocks have stagnated, including Bidenergy (ASX: BID) which was one of last year’s significant gainers.

At Stockhead we tell it like it is. While Animoca Brands is a Stockhead advertiser it did not sponsor this article.