The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) has had a solid start to the week and is up 0.3% to 5,919 points in afternoon trade.
Four shares which have climbed more than most today are listed below. Here's why they have started the week with strong gains:
The Big Un Ltd (ASX: BIG) share price has risen 6% to an all-time high of $2.68 after the video technology company announced a partnership with Australian News Channel Pty Ltd to broadcast the Wayfarer Travel Show series on its Sky News Business channel. Big Un's shares have now gained over 1,500% since this time last year.
The Hydroponics Company Ltd (ASX: THC) share price has rocketed 44% to 32.5 cents. This morning the diversified cannabis company announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Canndeo Ltd has been granted a Medicinal Cannabis Licence by the Office of Drug Control. This puts it a step closer to reaching its goal of commercial cultivation of medicinal cannabis in Australia.
The ResMed Inc. (CHESS) (ASX: RMD) share price is up 3% to $10.96. I expect a positive broker note out of UBS may be the catalyst for this gain. According to a note out of the investment bank, its analysts have retained their buy rating and given its shares the equivalent of a $11.73 price target following its recent quarterly update.
The St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) share price has climbed 3% to $2.97. Today's gain may relate to this morning's news that Norway's central bank, Norges Bank, has become a substantial holder. The central bank has acquired a 5.2% stake in the gold miner.
