The S&P/ASX 200 (IndexAsx: XJO) (ASX: XJO) has closed 0.6% higher at 5,509.2 after recovering from an early slide. Leading the way were the big four banks, and the financials and utilities sectors soared.
These five stocks posted strong gains in their share prices for the day:
1-Page Ltd (ASX: 1PG) rocketed up 17.6% to $2.61 today, despite no news. The company that delivers a new and novel way of sorting and testing new hire candidates is taking the corporate world by storm. 1-Page has signed up several large corporations to its various services. Shares were issued in 1-Page when it listed on the ASX in October 2014 at just 20 cents and as the first Silicon Valley-based company to list on the ASX.
Senetas Corporation Limited (ASX: SEN) rose 11.1% to 20 cents. In the last 12 months, Senetas' share price has soared 292%, on the back of positive trading updates. As an example, the high-speed data encryption hardware maker expects to at least double net profit for the 2015 financial year. With data security a must-have by many corporations, Senetas could see its sales soar in future. It certainly seems like some shareholders are moving in.
JB Hi-Fi Limited (ASX: JBH) share price gained 10.6% to close at $21.69. As we mentioned earlier today, the consumer electronics retailer surprised the market with strong same-store-sales results for the 2015 financial year. The trend appears set to continue with July sales tracking at a higher level than in June. A bonus for shareholders is the 5.9% fully franked dividend cherry on top.
MMA Offshore Ltd (ASX: MRM) ex-Mermaid Marine, added 8.2% to close at 59.5 cents. MMA's share price is recovering but is still 70% below the level this time last year. Falling oil prices have damaged demand in the offshore oil and gas support industry. MMA Offshore operates a number of ships designed to assist offshore oil and gas producers and explorers, but demand has dropped off, resulting in low utilisation of the company's fleet. Perhaps some investors are banking on oil prices recovering somewhat over the longer term.
Select Harvests Limited (ASX: SHV) climbed 4.7% to $11.93 continuing its recent ascent and has now gained 126% since early August last year. The almond producer is benefitting from a number of tailwinds, including rising demand and falling supply. Drought in California, the world's largest producing region, means production and exports are falling falling. Almond prices are rising as a result and so is demand. Select Harvests has also lifted production to an estimated 14,500 tonnes.
