Happy New Year, Foolish readers, I hope you had an excellent holiday break.
The S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX: ^AXJO)(ASX: XJO) is also back from the long weekend, although not much is happening as the index is down just 0.3% to 5,279 points. As usual, several shares fell substantially further, and here's why:
BC Iron Limited (ASX: BCI) shares fell 6.7% on no news to $0.098. Although a 6.7% fall, BC Iron shares lost only $0.007 (7 tenths of one cent) and this possibly reflects that today, there were slightly more sellers than buyers. Shares have also come under pressure recently after BC Iron and joint venture partner Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) announced the suspension of BC's flagship Nullagine Joint Venture ('NJV') mine operations pending analysis of market conditions.
Medical Developments International Ltd (ASX: MVP) shares lost 4.3% to $3.51, a fall that possibly reflects profit taking after a 172% gain in the past 12 months. Medical Development shares have been in hot demand after the company's flagship drug, Penthrox, received regulatory approval in a number of foreign jurisdictions. While much of the immediate upside looks to be off the table, overseas sales are just commencing and the recent acquisition of Avita (which will improve the group's gross profit margins) could make MVP one for the watch list.
Rent.com.au Ltd (ASX: RNT) crashed 10.3% to $0.305, taking its total fall in the past month to 29%. Despite the fall, Rent.com.au has performed better than expected by reaching its Unique Visitor (to its website) target of 500,000 per month six months earlier than expected. The company recently raised capital at $0.28 to institutional and sophisticated investors, and further falls could give investors the opportunity to buy in at that price.
Trustee for AMP Capital China Grwth Fund (ASX: AGF) shares lost 3.4% to $1.07. Although the fund is down only 2.1% for the year, it trades at a discount to its estimated (NAV). Basically, this means that the total value of the shares the fund holds are worth more than what investors could buy the whole fund for today. The fund has also recently gone ex-distribution, which means income is paid out to investors and the NAV of the fund falls.
