The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) has managed to rise 0.6% today, following the lead set by international markets overnight to snap a three day losing streak.
Over in the US, the S&P 500 recorded a gain of 1.2%, while the Dow Jones and NASDAQ indices jumped 1.2% and 1.3% respectively. The gains came after strong jobs data and the release of the minutes from the US Federal Reserve's meeting last month in which it said it expected "further responses" from foreign central bankers to spur the global economy.
While it's been a generally good day for the local market, a number of stocks have handily outperformed the Australian benchmark. Here are four of them…
Integrated Research Limited (ASX: IRI) has risen a meteoric 39.8% after the software provider issued an updated profit guidance for its first half operations. While it's still in the early stages of preparing the statements, it is anticipating a profit after tax between $7-8 million which would reflect earnings growth of between 55-77% compared to the prior corresponding period.
Arrium Ltd (ASX: ARI) has extended its rally today with the junior miner's shares jumping as much as 23.5% to 31.5 cents, before settling back to 28.5 cents. As has been the case with other iron ore producers, Arrium has benefited from reports that the commodity's price may finally have stabilised, while China could also accelerate infrastructure projects. At its current price, the miner has surged 90% since December 17 when it recorded a low of 15 cents.
Appen Ltd (ASX: APX), which provides language technology data and services, has enjoyed a stellar ASX debut, rising 18.1% today to add to its 5% gain yesterday. The shares opened at 50 cents on Wednesday but have since risen to 62 cents, setting the scene for more IPOs in 2015.
Infomedia Limited (ASX: IFM) also finds itself back on the winner's board, up 2.7%, after its shares plummeted 18.3% on Wednesday. The company downgraded its profit guidance for financial year 2015, saying profit would be greater than $13.7 million which compares to previous expectations of greater than $14.5 million. This comes as a result of a contract with long-standing customer Jaguar and Land Rover Limited not being renewed.
