In afternoon trade the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) has given back its early gains and has fallen 0.1% to 5,718 points.
Four shares which have managed to defy the market and storm higher today are listed below. Here's why they are higher:
The a2 Milk Company Ltd (Australia) (ASX: A2M) share price has climbed almost 4.5% to $3.82 after a research note out of Deutsche Bank revealed that its analysts have upgraded the dairy company to a buy rating from neutral. The broker appears to be bullish on its long-term prospects in the China market. I would agree with Deutsche on this one and believe a2 Milk would be a great investment.
The Auscann Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: AC8) share price is up 5% to 44.5 cents after the medicinal cannabis company advised that its strategic partner Tasmanian Alkaloids has been granted a medicinal cannabis licence and a research and development licence from the Office of Drug Control. This means that AusCann has licenses in two Australian states now.
The Audio Pixels Holdings Ltd (ASX: AKP) share price rocketed 13% higher to $21.50 after the digital speaker developer announced that it has completed development of a production process for the critical points of contact layers of its micro-electromechanical structures. This will no doubt be a relief to shareholders as the company had struggled with the issue for some time.
The Slater & Gordon Limited (ASX: SGH) share price has jumped 11% to 8.2 cents after the embattled law firm revealed that it has settled its shareholder class action. The company will pay $36.5 million to thousands of shareholders in relation to the significant loss of value following the ill-fated acquisition of the Quindell insurance business.
