In late morning trade the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to start the week on a positive note. At the time of writing the benchmark index is up a sizeable 1.6% to 5,583.4 points.
Four shares that are climbing more than most today are listed below. Here's why they are charging higher:
The Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) share price has jumped 6% higher to $47.24. This morning the payments company announced that Elana Rubin will become its permanent Chair with immediate effect. Rubin intends to retire from the ME Bank board following its June 2020 meeting, but will remain as a Non-Executive Director on the boards of Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) and Slater & Gordon Limited (ASX: SGH).
The Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) share price has climbed 5.5% higher to $11.92. The prospect of New Zealand opening up its borders to Australian tourists could be behind this gain. It isn't just Flight Centre on the rise. A number of travel shares have started the week in a very positive fashion.
The TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPM) share price is up 3% to $8.04. The catalyst for this gain appears to have been a broker note out of Morgans this morning. According to the note, the broker has upgraded TPG Telecom's shares to an add rating with an improved price target of $9.14. It sees a lot of positives in its merger with Vodafone Australia.
The Western Areas Ltd (ASX: WSA) share price has pushed 2.5% higher to $2.28. This morning the nickel producer announced that it has entered into a subscription agreement with Panoramic Resources Limited (ASX: PAN) to acquire up to 19.9% of its rival. Western Areas will pay cash of $28.6 million for the stake in the junior nickel producer. This investment provides Western Areas with exposure to the future restart of the promising Savannah Project.
