The S&P/ASX 200 index is on course to finish the week on a positive note. In afternoon trade the benchmark index is up 0.6% to 6,654.5 points.
Four shares that are climbing more than most today are listed below. Here's why they are ending the week on a high:
The Appen Ltd (ASX: APX) share price is up 4% to $26.51. The catalyst for this has been a strong gain by the technology-focused Nasdaq index last night after the United States and China agreed to hold trade talks next month. Appen isn't the only tech share on the rise today. The S&P/ASX 200 Info Tech index is up 2.5% this afternoon.
The Cooper Energy Ltd (ASX: COE) share price has surged 7% higher to 62.7 cents after revealing a new gas field discovery within the Waarre C formation reservoir. This is the first new Otway Basin gas field discovery from offshore drilling in 11 years. Cooper Energy's managing director David Maxwell described the Annie gas discovery as a solid and promising result from the first well in its exploration program.
The Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) share price is up 3% to $8.51 after successfully completing its US$600 million offering of senior unsecured notes. The proceeds from the bond offering will be used for the partial repayment of the outstanding US$1.4 billion 2022 syndicated term loan facility. Management also revealed that it is currently in negotiations with existing term loan lenders for the extension of term loan maturities of US$600 million on the same terms and conditions.
The Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL) share price has climbed 5% to $8.36. The catalyst for today's gain has been the September 2019 Quarterly Rebalance of the S&P/ASX Indices. According to the announcement, the investment platform provider is one of six new additions to the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index. Its shares will be added to the index on September 23.
