Today was a strong day for the S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO), which charged ahead by 1.3% to 5187 points on news the US Fed would keep interest rates on hold.
A number of shares performed very strongly, and here's what you need to know:
OrotonGroup Limited (ASX: ORL) was one of the strongest performers on the market today, skyrocketing 33% to $2.73 after the company released its interim report. The results were solid, with revenue rising 11%, and Net Profit After Tax rising a staunch 73% to $3.7 million. Management attributed the performance to refocussing on its core Oroton brand, a reduction of international losses, as well as a strengthening of its GAP brand and an exit from the joint venture with Brooks Brothers in July last year.
OrotonGroup shares are up just 1% in the past 12 months, despite today's rise.
Myer Holdings Ltd (ASX: MYR) leapt 13% to $1.25 in the aftermath of its interim results release this morning. While performance wasn't as strong as Oroton's, with revenue rising 1.8% and profits falling 4%, a significant increase in same-store sales as well as reductions in the cost of doing business were well received by shareholders. Strong online sales growth combined with same-store sales improvements suggests that the online offering is finally gaining traction – I have previously suspected online sales of cannibalising in-store customers. On the downside, Myer shareholders can expect weaker second half profits, with full year profit expected to be $66 million – $72 million, $59.7 million of which was already earned in this half.
Myer shares are down 20% in the past 12 months.
Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) gained 8% to $2.64 in continuing volatility. With the recent rise in the value of iron ore, Fortescue looks to be earning comfortable profit margins at today's prices, although a strong Aussie dollar could nibble away at those if it remains elevated. Investors should also be aware that the good times are not guaranteed to last, with the boss of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) recently quoted as saying iron ore was the commodity he was most bearish on at today's prices.
Fortescue shares are up 31% in the past 12 months.
Mesoblast limited (ASX: MSB) jumped 12% to $2.72 today after the release of a non-market sensitive announcement about how 'Mesoblast technology shows potential to induce durable reversal of type 1 diabetes'. Although shares are still trading within their average range over the past month or so, today's rise looks like pure speculation as the findings mentioned in the study are 'pre-clinical' and in laboratory mice, not humans. (For more information on 'pre-clinical' and subsequent trials, see this article). Mesoblast has enough on its plate with funding its primary therapies at the moment and, although it's nice to know it could maybe treat diabetes someday, that day is a long way away.
Mesoblast shares are down 31% in the past 12 months.
