After starting the day in positive territory, the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) has taken a turn for the worse and is now trading more than 0.3% lower at 5166 points.
Not all shares are having a bad day though with these four shares trading firmly in positive territory:
Slater & Gordon Limited (ASX: SGH)
Shares of the embattled law firm are enjoying a rare day of positive gains despite the lack of any new updates from the company. The company is now officially out of the S&P/ASX 200 index but that hasn't reduced the interest around the stock with more volume traded today than any day last week. The shares have gained more than 6% today in what appears to be a case of bargain hunters and traders looking for a quick trade.
Primary Health Care Limited (ASX: PRY)
Shares of Primary Health Care continued their climb higher today on the back of fresh takeover talk. It was revealed last Friday that China based Jangho Group had taken an 11.17% stake in the company. This followed on from another new substantial holding in the company by Asia based Haitong Group a day earlier. The shares have now risen more than 83% since the middle of February. Despite these new developments, investors should be extremely careful buying a stock based purely on rumors of a takeover, especially if they are not prepared to own the stock if a takeover does not eventuate.
Premier Investments Limited (ASX: PMV)
Following on from last Friday, Premier Investments shares have gained more than 3% today as investors continue to applaud the company's first half FY16 results. The retail giant delivered a solid first half performance that generated a 15.1% increase in sales and 25.9% increase in net profit after tax (NPAT). Importantly, the company delivered like-for-like sales growth of 6.9% and a huge 47.7% increase in online sales. The company also increased its interim dividend to 23 cents a share – a move that always pleases investors. The shares have now gained nearly 40% over the past 12 months.
Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd (ASX: VAH)
Investors have reacted favourably to news that the airline has commenced a review of its capital structure and has initiated this review by securing a new 12-month $425 million loan facility with its four major shareholders – Air New Zealand (AIR N.Z. FPO NZ (ASX: AIZ)), Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Group. This development comes at an interesting time considering the shares dropped almost 20% in the last three trading days of last week. The shares have gained more than 9% today, to be trading at 38.25 cents a share.
