Rise and Shine: Everything you need to know before the ASX opens

On Stockhead today,

Iluka Resources, BHP, and Barton Gold (ASX:BGD) are just a few of the 15 quietly epic miners in South Australia which – according to new data from the SA peak body for these things – together contribute about $1 in every $12 South Aussie dollarbucks.

And when you’re contributing the equivalent of well over 8% of the state coffers every year, the SA pen pushers really know how to look after their own.  There’s a boom in the air over there and Our Jessica Cummins runs the ruler over names like Hillgrove Resources and Rex Minerals for a very timely tour of the golden SA facility.

But first, the day ahead.

TRADING HALTS

The following stocks went into trading halts and are expected out in the coming days:

Credit Clear (ASX:CCR) – Capital raising.

Proteomics International Laboratories (ASX:PIQ) – Announcement regarding an exclusive licence agreement with Sonic Healthcare USA for the use and commercialisation of the company’s PromarkerD test in the US market.

Infinity Lithium Corporation (ASX:INF) – Permitting update announcement from INF’s San José lithium project.

Entyr (ASX:ETR) – Capital raising.

Victory Metals (ASX:VTM) – Capital raising.

FYI Resources (ASX:FYI) – Material acquisition.

Echo IQ (ASX:EIQ) – Appointment of a sales agent in the US.

COMMODITY/FOREX/CRYPTO MARKET PRICES

Gold: $US2041.53 (-0.12%)

Silver: $US25.55 (-0.14%)

Nickel (3mth): $US24,025/t (+2.02%)

Copper (3mth): $US9002.50/t (+0.27%)

Oil (WTI): $US68.58 (+0.01%)

Oil (Brent): $US782.51 (+0.32%)

Iron 62pc Fe: $US107.50/t (-0.94%)

AUD/USD: 0.6610 (+0.14%)

Bitcoin: $US29,156 (+2.24%)

WHAT GOT YOU TALKING?

Flying high with Creso Pharma…

Creso Pharma on track to acquire ASX-listed Health House International, which could boost revenue to $33m this year and unlock precious psychedelic import licences https://t.co/K1UbsPha9v #AD #ASX #ASX200 $CPH @CresoPharma pic.twitter.com/RmkItjteZf

— Stockhead (@StockheadAU) May 8, 2023

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Also, be sure to check in preopen each day for ‘Market highlights and 5 ASX small caps to watch’, and 10.30am for our daily ‘10 at 10’ column — a live summary of winners & losers at the opening bell.

ASX SMALL CAP LEADERS

Here are the best performing ASX small cap stocks:
Swipe or scroll to reveal full table. Click headings to sort:

Creso Pharma (ASX:CPH) took line honours with a 27% gain following the announcement that its bid to snap up minnow Health House International (ASX:HHI) is now a happening thing.

HHI delivers CPH ripe and rolling revenue streams, as well as an all-important tranche of import and sales licences covering psilocybin and MDMA.

Next best was Black Rock Mining (ASX:BKT), up 12.5% as interest in graphite diggers returns to the boil among local investors.

There’s not been any substantial company-specific news behind Black Rock’s climb today.

Also ahead on no news, but stronger crude prices is Brookside Energy (ASX:BRK).

It’s up more than 15%, the first strong gain since revealing a buy-back on 28 April.

TODAY’S ASX SMALL CAP LAGGARDS

Here are the least best performing ASX small cap stocks:

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