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

Good morning everyone, and welcome to Thursday 12 October – a day of global significance as it marks the 531st anniversary of an Italian guy, acting on behalf of Spain, who accidentally found America.

Christopher Columbus had been looking for a new way to get to China, India and possibly Bali for a holiday, but instead landed on (probably) Watling Island in the Bahamas.

A few weeks later, he spotted the small island of Cuba, which he mistook for China, despite there not being many (if any) Chinese people around. Clever guy, that Columbus.

He eventually made three other trips to the region, behaved like a total bastard by enslaving just about everybody he came into contact with and stealing every ounce of gold he could.

He eventually left the world with the unfolding disaster that is the United States of America, and quite a number of people are still quite unhappy about that as well.

It’s a good reminder that we should all be well aware of the facts of the matters we take an interest in – particularly when it comes to what you’re interested in putting your money into on the market.

So, we’ve been busy writing up some of the most important bits of info we can find to help you on your way – including Eddy Sunarto’s wrap up of what’s happening in the world of IPOs, Peter Strachan’s cheap copper pick of the day, and Cam Drummond’s series on what’s happening in Africa continues as well.

As always, here’s all the data and digits and bibs and bobs to get your motor running this morning.

COMMODITY/FOREX/CRYPTO MARKET PRICES

Gold: US$1,861.57 (+1.60%)

Silver: US$21.88 (+1.36%)

Nickel (3mth): US$18,582/t (+0.50%)

Copper (3mth): US$8,046/t (+0.50%)

Oil (WTI): US$86.41 (+4.36%)

Oil (Brent): US$88.14 (+4.21%)

Iron 62pc Fe: US$118.18/t (+0.37%)

AUD/USD: 0.6415 (+0.48%)

Bitcoin: US$27,606 (+0.49%)

WHAT GOT YOU TALKING

Christian Edwards has even more bad news for anyone who doesn’t already own their slice of the Australian housing market – and it’s still quite a touchy topic, as well.

Here’s the latest on Australia’s post-pandemic rental crisis.
It’s very bad.
And getting worse. https://t.co/SoLuX0aHzB

— Stockhead (@StockheadAU) October 11, 2023

YESTERDAY’S ASX SMALL CAP LEADERS

Here are the best performing ASX small cap stocks:

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

Yesterday’s Small Caps highlights were:

Kalgoorlie-focused Zuleika Gold (ASX:ZAG) with four gold projects in the post topped the charts Wednesday courtesy of a late Tuesday Mark Creasy flavoured revelation. The company revealed a subscription cash deal with one of the legendary West Aussie prospector/investor’s various toys – Yandal Investments – for the raising of $3m.

The subscription price is at a 28% premium. Handy.

5E Advanced Materials (ASX:5EA) was up more than 25% on news the step-rate testing is underway and should quickly ID the porosity of the boron-loving small cap’s ore body and form a base-line parameter at Fort Cady Borate project in California, which hosts a multi-generational borate resource where boric acid, borate specialty materials, gypsum, and potassium sulphate will be produced.

Easy for them to say.

And Besra Gold (ASX:BEZ) was up well over 20% after getting paid US$10m from Quantum Metal Recovery, as per conditions set by a US$300 million Gold Purchase Agreement back in May.

YESTERDAY’S ASX SMALL CAP LAGGARDS

Here are the worst performing ASX small cap stocks:

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

TRADING HALTS

Javelin Minerals (ASX:JAV) – Pending an announcement providing an update on a proposed takeover bid by the company.