ASX 200 rises: 14 shares you should have been watching

Local shares edged higher today, supported by the strong gains produced by a number of companies that reported their earnings.

Here's a quick recap:

• S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) up 0.1% to 5561 points
• ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) up 0.1% to 5653 pointss
• AUD/USD at US 76.06 cents
• Iron Ore at US$61.23 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
• Gold at US$1,336.80 an ounce
• Brent oil at US$49.36 a barrel

A number of businesses produced spectacular gains today. iSentia Group Ltd (ASX: ISD) shares gained 16.7%, while Sirtex Medical Limited (ASX: SRX) soared 12%.

Meanwhile, Ardent Leisure Group (ASX: AAD) shares lifted 14% and Spotless Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: SPO) gained 7%.

Unfortunately, there were a number of businesses that didn't perform so well. Blackmores Limited (ASX: BKL) shares plunged 19.5%, while Greencross Limited (ASX: GXL) and APN Outdoor Group Ltd (ASX: APO) lost 4.6% and 4.6%, respectively.

Nearmap Ltd (ASX: NEA) fell 14.3% as well, while Slater & Gordon Limited (ASX: SGH) dropped 10.4%.

Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) rose 1.5% on its earnings results, but Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares fell 3.5% after going ex-dividend.

In other blue-chip news, Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) shares fell 2.2% following a sharp fall in net profit.

Woolworths Limited (ASX: WOW) also entered a trading halt after announcing that Metcash Limited (ASX: MTS) would acquire its Home Timber & Hardware business.

Here are Wednesday's top stories:

1. Sirtex Medical Limited reports: Is it a buy?
2. Ardent Leisure Group shares surge on giant US potential
3. Why Blackmores Limited & Slater & Gordon Limited shares are tanking today
4. Qantas Airways Limited reports record profits, time to buy?
5. You won't read this about gold…
6. Why Woolworths Limited is in a trading halt today