After a bumper start to the new year yesterday, the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX:XJO) has taken a breather today, rising just 0.05% to 5,736 points.
The market has been helped by strong gains from the financial, gold and telecommunications sectors, although this has been partly offset by losses from the industrials and property sectors.
Four shares that have come under serious selling pressure today, include:
Ardent Leisure Group (ASX: AAD)
Shares of Ardent Leisure have plunged more than 5.3% today after news reports emerged that suggested the company's Dreamworld theme park was still suffering from poor crowd numbers. As highlighted here, the company is yet to make any official announcements about recent visitor numbers so today's share price move may be somewhat premature. Nonetheless, investors should watch this space closely for further developments.
Aconex Ltd (ASX: ACX)
Shares of Aconex have dropped more than 3.6% today, despite the absence of any news from the company. Today's move is most likely the result of short-term profit taking following a strong month of gains and an especially strong performance yesterday. Interestingly, Aconex is now the second most shorted share on the ASX, with around 16% of shares held short.
Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT)
Shares of Nextdc have fallen around 3.2% today, also on no news from the company. Traders are most likely locking in profits today after the shares enjoyed a 30% gain in December. Like Aconex, Nextdc is also one of the most shorted shares on the ASX with around 9.2% of shares held short.
Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX: CWY)
After hitting a new 52-week high of $1.26 earlier in the day, shares of Cleanaway Waste Management are now trading 3.6% lower to $1.20. Despite today's fall, the shares have still performed remarkably well over the past 12 months after the company delivered strong revenue and earnings growth in FY16. Interestingly, shares of Cleanaway's main listed peer, Tox Free Solutions Limited (ASX: TOX), did not fare so well in 2016 and actually ended the year in negative territory.
