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

On Stockhead today, more of Tim Boreham’s 2021 rising stars, experts’ views on commodities in the next 12 months, and can the BNPL boom continue?

But first…

The day ahead

Today the ASX will have a shortened trading day, closing at 2.10pm (AEDT).

The bourse will be closed tomorrow on New Years’ Day but then reopen on Monday January 4 with the only other change to trading hours for the rest of January being the Australia Day closure on January 26.

The following companies are in trading halts and are expected out today (there are no companies scheduled to exit on Monday January 4):

THURSDAY:

Ultima United (ASX:ULL) – capital raising & development project
The Agency Group (ASX:AU1) – finance documentation
IODM (ASX:IOD) – capital raising
New Zealand Oil and Gas (ASX:NZO) – drilling results

Markets

Gold: $US1,889.88 ($2,461.87) (+0.64%)

Silver: $US26.45 ($34.45) (+1.04%)

Oil (WTI): $US48.28 (+0.58%)

Oil (Brent): $US51.28 (+0.37%)

Coal: $US82.00 (-2.46%)

Iron 62pc Fe: $US155.70 (+0.08%)

AUD/USD: $US0.7676 (+0.92%)

Bitcoin: $US28,750.07 (+7.04%)

What’s got you talking this week

So far this week, our High Voltage column has been the most popular with our readers. Finally there are signs that the electric vehicle boom is actually happening – and fast.

This has been good new for battery metals stocks particularly 23 which are up 200 per cent or more in 12 months.

This EV boom could be long and lucrative for battery metals players like $AVZ $COB $EMH and $GLN, which led the High Voltage winners this week. #ASX #ausbiz https://t.co/3JZIdTE0uw

— Stockhead (@StockheadAU) December 29, 2020

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

Yesterday’s winners

Note: Stocks in yellow rose after making announcements

Yesterday’s losers