It looks set to be another day of declines for the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) today. Currently it is down by almost 0.5% at 5,180 points.
But going against the grain have been four shares in particular. Each has posted strong gains on an otherwise disappointing day on the market. Here's why:
a2 Milk Company Ltd (Australia) (ASX: A2M) shares are up 12% to $1.68 today following the company's announcement that it was revising its full year revenue and earnings guidance upwards. The increase of around 4.5% and 12%, respectively, is thanks to continued strong demand from China. As well as a2 Milk's shares, investors have been fighting to get hold of Bellamy's Australia Ltd (ASX: BAL) shares. Its share price is up by over 4% to $10.97 today, with many speculating that it will be experiencing similarly strong demand in China.
A2 Milk's shares are still down by around 1% so far in 2016.
Asaleo Care Ltd (ASX: AHY) shares have jumped 3% to $2.06 today despite no news being released to market. Asaleo Care is a leading manufacturer of hygiene products, owning brands such as Sorbent, Handee and Libra. Given its defensive qualities, it comes as little surprise to see investors buying up its shares at a time when many are predicting the onset of high levels of volatility in financial markets.
Asaleo Care's shareholders have seen its share price climb by a whopping 31% year-to-date.
Mesoblast limited (ASX: MSB) shares have rebounded from yesterday's heavy losses with a 15% gain to $1.28. This rebound comes despite there being no further news out of the company following Teva Pharmaceutical Industries' withdrawal from its late-stage trial of experimental stem cell therapy for chronic heart failure. It's unclear whether today's rise is the result of short sellers closing positions or investors buying in because Bell Potter analysts only reduced their Mesoblast price target to $3.39. But one thing I feel sure about is that it's best to avoid Mesoblast shares right now.
Mesoblast's share price is still down by around 67% in the last 12 months.
Metcash Limited (ASX: MTS) shares have continued their incredible rise, this time by just under 3% to $2.25. In the last 30 days alone Metcash shareholders have seen the value of their holdings rise by almost 30%. Its full year earnings release is just around the corner, so it would appear that investors are optimistic about a strong result. As well as this, at just 12x estimated FY 2016 earnings the shares do look very cheap in comparison to Woolworths Limited (ASX: WOW) and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).
Metcash shares are now up by a staggering 100% in the last 12 months.
