The Australian sharemarket is firing on all cylinders today, led by a resurgent banking sector and a reasonable show from Woolworths, which came despite a profit downgrade and the shock resignation of its CEO, Grant O'Brien.
The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) has risen 1.2%, a result matched by the ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO), but these four companies have delivered even more stunning performances…
Yowie Group Ltd (ASX: YOW) has risen an astonishing 22.4% to trade at 93 cents per share, giving it a total gain of 52% since the beginning of the year. The company announced that its 'Yowie' chocolate confectionary products will rollout nationally across the U.S. into approx. 4,300 Walmart stores from August 2015. That's a huge plus for the business, and its shareholders.
Martin Aircraft Company Ltd (ASX: MJP) made headlines again today after it announced it has entered into agreements with companies in China and India, whilst also opening a European sales centre. The company, which is aiming to commercialise the Martin Jetpack as early as next year, rose 21.7% to 92.5 cents, after hitting a high of $1.10 earlier in the session (a gain of 44.7%).
Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF) rose 4.5% to trade at $7.01 after Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan both increased their guidance on the stock. Challenger, which is an investment management firm that focuses on providing financial security for Australians in retirement, has endured a rough 12-month period but could be a stock for long-term investors to consider nonetheless.
Pacific Brands Limited (ASX: PBG), which owns brands such as Bonds, Sheridan and Tontine, rose 9% despite the absence of any company-specific news which would explain the sudden jump. Investors are perhaps sensing the stock may have become oversold given that it has plunged more than 30% over the last 12 months.
