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

On Stockhead today, the strongest case for uranium is now, the retail stocks that can survive Amazon, and why it’s not all about ‘growth versus value’.

But first…

To markets

Small caps will be looking to turn around their fortunes today after losing ground six times out of the past seven sessions.

The Small Ordinaries index finished yesterday down 32.2 points, or 1.0 per cent, wiping out most of Friday’s 37.2-point gain.

With just two more days left in the month, the Small Ords is on pace to finish March up 35.4 points, or 1.1 per cent.

The index of Australia’s 100th to 300th biggest companies is up 2.26 per cent for the quarter (and the year, of course).

Miners were the biggest gainers yesterday, collectively climbing 1.3 per cent, while tech was the biggest loser, falling 2.8 per cent.

Global markets have been on the lookout for any signs of systemic deleveraging, after some monster block trades rattled US investors on Friday night.

Greater Brisbane went into a three-day snap lockdown yesterday evening after recording 10 new coronavirus cases cases, including four of community transmission.

Like clockwork…every long weekend and holiday period has been hit with clusters and snap #lockdown. #tourism and #travel takes another hit. Expect more #porkbarelling ahead for #election cycle. #markets #investors #asx #traders #stockmarket #auspol https://t.co/NUB0rbVAy1

— Aus Equity Flash (@EquityAus) March 29, 2021

Trading Halts

Tuesday  

Invictus Energy (ASX:IVZ) – production agreement
Sovereign Metals (ASX:SVM) – capital raising
Cann Global (ASX:CGB) – regulatory milestone
AVZ Minerals (ASX:AVZ) – offtake agreement
Kazia Therapeutics (ASX:KZA) – licensing transaction
Kyckr (ASX:KYK) – announcement clarification

Wednesday

XTEK (ASX:XTE) – distribution agreement
Digital Wine Ventures (ASX:DW8) – partnership
Houston We Have (ASX:HWH) – acquisition
Spirit Technology (ASX:ST1) – acquisition & capital raising
1ST Group (ASX:1ST) – changes to executive team
Opyl (ASX:OPL) – capital raising
Suvo Strategic Minerals (ASX:SUV) – project update
Strandline Resources (ASX:STA) – capital raising
Openpay (ASX:OPY) – partnership and funding package

Markets

Gold: $US1711.26 ($A2,241.92) (-1.21%)

Silver: $US24.67 ($A32.32) (-1.51%)

Crude: $US61.63 (+1.08%)

Brent crude: $US65.09 (+0.81%)

Iron ore 62% fe: $US166.97 (+0.05%)

Coal: $US92.00 (+0.55%)

AUD/USD: 76.34 (-0.11%)

Bitcoin: $57,453.10 (+4.50%)

Yesterday’s winners

Finishing on top was gold play Golden Mile Resources (ASX:G88) with exploration results from its Benalla project in WA.

Also rising off the back of exploration results were Native Mineral Resources Holdings (ASX:NMR) and Auric Mining (ASX:AWJ).

Mortgage broker Mortgage Choice (ASX:MOC) got a takeover bid from property website operator REA Group (ASX:REA).

Andrew Forrest-backed oil play Buru Energy (ASX:BRU) won another bid block in the onshore Carnarvon Basin.

Yesterday’s losers

Gold and copper play Alice Queen (ASX:AQX), which has a a joint venture with St Barbara (ASX:SBM), fell after St Barbara gave notification that it was withdrawing from the joint venture.

To keep up to date with Stockhead coverage, follow our Twitter page or sign up to our members-only Facebook group here.

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.