On Stockhead today, are Meta and Spotify a ‘Buy’ and why big US tech stocks are the ‘new defensives’ and how Firebrick Pharma can pass the sniff test.

But first, the day ahead.

Local shares are set to open much higher today. At 8am AEDT, the ASX 200 March futures is pointing up by 2.38%.

Monday kicks off with the Australian Bureau of Statistics releasing the Business Indicators publication for the December quarter and preliminary retail trade update for January.

Commonwealth Bank Group economists expect retail spending to lift 2%.

The Reserve Bank will release the Financial Aggregates publication, which includes private sector credit figures for January while the Melbourne Institute issues the February inflation gauge.

You can get a full rundown of the week ahead in data here by peeking in Christian Edwards’ Diary. (SFW).

 

TRADING HALTS

Strike Resources (ASX:SRK) – Pending the release of a market announcement in relation to the Paulsens East Iron Ore Project

Kalium Lakes (ASX:KLL) – Pending the release of an announcement relating to the company’s commissioning strategy

QX Resources (ASX:QXR) – Regarding a binding memorandum of understanding in relation to a strategic partnership and an associated capital raising

Buddy Technologies (ASX:BUD) – Pending an application to the Supreme Court of Western Australia

 

MARKETS

Gold: $US1,888.96 (-0.75%)

Silver: $US24.172 (-0.12%)

Oil (WTI): $US91.82 (-1.60%)

Oil (Brent): $US98.11 (-0.98%)

Aust Coking Coal (steelmaking): $444.0/t (+1.90%)

Newcastle Coal (thermal): $197/t (0.00%)

Iron 62pc Fe: $US141.76 (-0.63%)

AUD/USD: $US0.7160 (-0.91%)

Bitcoin: $US39,129.57 (-3.45%)

 

What got you talking last week?

Bryah Resources’ (ASX:BYH) manganese JV in Western Australia got you talkin’ after its partner, OM Holdings (ASX:OMH) completed all funding requirements to earn a 51% stake in the project.

 

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Also, be sure to check in at 10.20am each day for our daily ‘10 at 10’ column — a live summary of winners & losers at the opening bell.

 

LAST WEEK’S BIGGEST SMALL CAP WINNERS

(Stocks highlighted in yellow rose after making announcements during the trading day).

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Jewellery company Atlas Pearls (ASX:ATP) led last Friday’s small cap gains among stocks with news, after reporting a half-year net profit of $4.1m.

The company, which operates multiple oyster farms in Indonesia, said profits were assisted by the launch of its online platform “in response to the COVID-19 pandemic”, enabling it to “continue selling its pearls worldwide through uncertain times”.

Cybersecurity platform WhiteHawk (ASX:WHK) also posted strong gains, following the release of its full-year report ended December 31.

WHK said it reported a 180% lift in revenues to $3.4m with a strong pipeline of additional work opportunities.

 

LAST WEEK’S BIGGEST SMALL CAP LOSERS

(Stocks highlighted in yellow rose after making announcements during the trading day).

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