The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was flat today, falling by 0.02% to 7,332 points.
Here are some of the highlights from the ASX:
Select Harvests Limited (ASX: SHV)
The Select Harvests share price soared around 16% today after the nut business gave investors an update about its crops and the market.
Select Harvests said that its 2021 harvest has been completed and 100% of the 2021 crop has been delivered to the Carina West processing facility.
With over 60% of the crop processed, it estimates that the crop volume, including from the acquisition of the Piangil orchard, will be approximately 28,250 MT, up from the 2020 crop volume of 23,250 MT.
Management said that processing productivity continues to improve, with the prior year investments in technology delivering efficiency gains and further enhancing post farm gate quality.
Select Harvests also said that the almond industry has experienced significant growth in global demand across all markets, particularly in the traditional markets of India, Europe and China.
Australian almond exports year on year are up 54%, with the South and Central Asian (India) market up 200%, Europe up 69% and the North East Asian (China) market up 9% during the period.
Continued strong shipment numbers and the worsening drought situation in California have led to an appreciation in almond pricing of between 5% and 10% over the last six months.
The business said that 60% of its 2021 crop is committed at prices in the range of A$5.90 per kilo and A$6.40 per kilo. However, the un-committed portion of the crop is the lower value grades.
The development of Select Harvests' 2022 crop is "progressing well" with good tree health, according to management.
Volumes are benefiting as younger orchards reach maturity. Water supply and pricing is "much improved".
Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV)
Polynovo also gave an update. It said that notwithstanding limited access to US hospitals and surgeons due to COVID, it's seeing increasing revenue momentum in the US and all other major markets. More than 50% of hospitals are now re-engaging for business.
NovoSorb BTM is a dermal scaffold for the regeneration of the dermis when lost through extensive surgery or burn.
The ASX 200 company said that revenue growth of around 34% is a good indicator of FY21 BTM financial performance and recent business fundamentals have significantly improved.
US BTM revenue in US dollar terms has grown 49% in FY21 over FY20.
The US FY21 fourth quarter BTM revenue was a record US$4.9 million, compared to US$3.3 million in the fourth quarter of FY20.
It saw record monthly BTM revenue of A$3.3 million in June 2021.
FY21 distribution revenue growth was 53% with "strong" increases in Germany, Switzerland and Australia. There has also been further sales in South Africa and India. Finland, Italy and Taiwan has seen "good" first sales in Finland, Italy and Taiwan.
The FY21 Australia BTM revenue has grown 25% despite challenging COVID lockdowns.
The Polynovo share price rose by 1%.
Nearmap Ltd (ASX: NEA)
The Nearmap share price went up around 14% today after giving an update.
The ASX 200 share said that the annualised contract value is expected to close FY21 at $133.8 million in constant currency terms, exceeding recently upgraded guidance of $128 million to $132 million.
The ACV portfolio in North America saw 54% growth to US$44.5 million. The company said this validated its refined go-to-market strategy. The Australian and New Zealand ACV saw growth of 7% to A$69.1 million.
The HyperCamera3 prototype was tested in flight. Management said this represented a significant technological breakthrough. The commercial roll-out remains on track for FY22.
