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

On Stockhead today, why the coronavirus outbreak may not hurt Aussie iron ore exports to China as much as people think, modular nuclear power plants could be here by the mid-2020s and the hand sanitiser sellers are leading the bio-stock gains.

But first…

The day ahead

Today in economic data we’ll see monthly retail sales. Australia’s trade balance, which economists believe will slightly drop but still be a healthy surplus, is also due to be released today. Finally keep your eye out for NAB Business Confidence for the December quarter.

The following companies are in trading halts and are expected to exit in the next 48 hours:

Thursday:

De Grey Mining (ASX:DEG) – exploration results
Twenty Seven (ASX:TSC) – capital raising
STEMify (ASX:SF1) – disposal transaction

Friday:

Matador Mining (ASX:MZZ) – capital raising

Markets

Gold: $US1,553.54 ($2,303.25) (+0.29%)

Silver: $US17.61 (+0.01%)

Oil (WTI): $US51.06 (+2.88%)

Oil (Brent): $US55.37 (+2.76%)

Coal: $US71.85 (+2.54%)

Iron 62pc Fe: $US81.63 (+4.21%)

AUD/USD: $US0.6746 (+0.10%)

Bitcoin: $US9,657.42 (+5.49%)

What got you talking yesterday

Yesterday Elixir Energy (ASX:EXR) finished up 126 per cent. The catalyst was a 51m thick coal seam hit at its Mongolian project.

A 51m thick coal seam hit in Mongolia has sent Elixir more than doubling this morning https://t.co/8UwnPXo97U $EXR #csg #coalseamgas

— Stockhead (@StockheadAU) February 5, 2020

These were the most tipped stocks (weekly) on Stocks in Play:

Yesterday’s winners

Yesterday’s losers