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

On Stockhead today, who’s leading the way with HPA, the semiconductor war reaches a new level, and Bottom Picker in a pickle.

But first, the day head.

TRADING HALTS

The following companies went into trading halts yesterday and are expected out in the next few days:

Insurance Australia Group (ASX:IAG) – To consider the impact of last Friday’s determination by the High Court of Australia to dismiss the applications by IAG and the policyholders for special leave to appeal the judgment of the Full Federal Court of Australia in the second business interruption test case handed down on February 21, 2022, including to assess the financial impact.

Minbos Resources (ASX:MNB) – Regarding its definitive feasibility study (DFS)

Findi (ASX:FND) – in connection with an announcement by Findi regarding finalisation of an equity raising to support the company’s expansion in India including Findi’s white label ATM licence application.

Medibank Private (ASX:MPL) – To investigate a cyber incident, details of which have been announced.

Radiopharm Theranostics (ASX:RAD) – Pending an announcement about the Pivalate Phase II Data in Brain Mets Trial

Aldoro Resources (ASX:ARN) – Capital raising

Astron Corporation (ASX:ATR) – Capital raising

Pacific Nickel Mines (ASX:PNM) – Capital raising

Wooboard Technologies (ASX:WOO) – Capital raising

COMMODITY/FOREX/CRYPTO MARKET PRICES

Gold: $US1,643.46 (-1.34%)

Silver: $US18.24 (-3.30%)

Nickel (3mth): $US22,340/t (+0.22%)

Copper (3mth): $US7,641/t (+1.27%)

Lithium Carbonate, China (Benchmark Minerals Intelligence, OCT 12): $US72,200/t (+108.2% year-to-date)

Lithium Hydroxide, China (Benchmark Minerals Intelligence, OCT 12): $US71,850/t (+146.9% year-to-date)

Oil (WTI): $US85.55 (-3.99)

Oil (Brent): $US91.65 (-3.08%)

Iron 62pc Fe: $US95.93 (+0.56%)

AUD/USD: 0.62029 (-1.53%)

Bitcoin: $US19,132 (-0.22%)

WHAT GOT YOU TALKING LAST WEEK?

Central to China’s dominance in the battery material space is its LFP industry, which Benchmark Mineral Intelligence says will account for 69% of the country’s cathode output in 2030, up from 44% in 2022.

Why #LFP is becoming ‘the chosen’ #battery tech of choice, and the #ASX stocks getting in early https://t.co/uM86aovvDC $AEV $LIT $CXL $PLS

— Stockhead (@StockheadAU) October 13, 2022

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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. 

The Energy sector led the way to Friday’s market close last week, gaining 3.68% on the back of a 2-2.6% lift in oil , followed by Utilities at 3.52%.

On the stocks front, Virgin Money UK (ASX:VUK) and Domino’s (ASX:DOM) both led the rally for the day.

Si6 Metals (ASX:SI6) shares rose as much as 20% after revealing a 120 hole air-core drilling program had kicked off at the Monument Gold Project in WA.

ASX SMALL CAP LAGGARDS

Here are the best performing ASX small cap stocks:

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