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

On Stockhead today, Arlington’s Simon Catt backs some old favourites, battery metals IPOs are a sure bet, and Oxford flags a metals pullback.

But first … the day ahead.

TRADING HALTS

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

Bulletin Resources (ASX:BNR) — exploration update
Hannan Ltd (ASX:HNR) — response to ASX price query
Carnavon Energy (ASX:CVN) — drilling result for Buffalo-10 well
European Metals Holdings (ASX:EMH) — PFS update (Cinovec lithium project)
Centaurus Metals (ASX:CTM) — capital raising
Venus Metals (ASX:VMC) — resource upgrade
Rox Resources (ASX:RXL) — resource upgrade

MARKETS (prices updated at 7.30am AEDT)

Gold: $US1,817.15 ($2,519.88) (+0.26%)

Silver: $US23.74 (+1.27.61%)

Oil (WTI): $US86.61 (+1.46%)

Oil (Brent): $US88.51 (+1.51%)

Coal: $US221 (+0.22%)

Iron 62pc Fe: $US127.48 (+0.98%)

AUD/USD: $US0.7211 (+0.36%)

Bitcoin: $US42,120.70 ($58,409.70) (+0.70%)

WHAT GOT YOU TALKING YESTERDAY?

Stockhead’s Sam Jacobs fires up the Brainchip fanboys.

So, Brainchip… what’s the go there? A deep(ish) dive on the hottest stock on the #ASX. Thanks to @lukewinchester9 for comments (let the debate rage on). $BRN https://t.co/MBLTrsGYSS pic.twitter.com/wygh4vyM0d

— Stockhead (@StockheadAU) January 18, 2022

And this. Hilarious if true.

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

For all you crypto lovers, Stockhead’s Coinhead Facebook group is the place to share your views, insights, tips and ideas.

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.

YESTERDAY’S WINNERS

Scroll or swipe to reveal table. Click headings to sort.

Cobalt-nickel play NiCo Resources (ASX:NC1) had an auspicious IPO debut which saw the company’s stock price almost double on day one.

A spinout from tin producer Metals X (ASX:MLX), NC1 raised $12m from investors at 20c per share and closed at 37.5c.

The company will now focus on its Wingellina project nickel/cobalt project, where a pre-feasibility study by Metals X indicated the project should support an initial 40-year mine life at production rate of 40,000tpa Ni and 3,000tpa Co.

AI-based medical diagnostics company Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG) ticked higher following the release of its December quarter 4C filing, reporting a cash balance of $13.5m and a lift in operating receipts to $1.8 million, flowing through to net operating cash outflows of $2.15m.

Also rising strongly was retail intelligence platform Frugl Group (ASX:FGL), which bounced off recent lows to climb by 45% on no news.

Among stocks with announcements, most of the midday winners in resources held their gains through to the closing bell. Get the full resources wrap here.

YESTERDAY’S LOSERS

Scroll or swipe to reveal table. Click headings to sort.

Allegra Orthopaedics (ASX:AMT) announced a forecasted revenue and profit decrease from its Orthopaedic division compared to the prior financial year (FY2021) due to “unprecedented challenges” created by COVID.

“The ongoing pandemic, resulting in the suspension or reduction of non-urgent elective surgeries in both the public and private sectors, and the uncertainty associated with the duration of this pause, is the primary reason for the decrease in revenues and profits of the Company’s Orthopaedic’s division,” AMT says.

Data centre Megaport (ASX:MP1) plummeted 16% following an update and amid general weakness in the tech sector.

Megaport reported an increase to annual reoccurring revenue of 7% to $9.2m quarter-on-quarter.