During the first quarter of 2018 the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) fell a disappointing 5%. This was the worst start to the year that the index has had since the Global Financial Crisis.
But it wasn't all doom and gloom during the quarter. A number of shares have actually put on some incredible gains for their respective shareholders so far in 2018.
Here are three of the biggest movers in the first-quarter:
The Auscann Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: AC8) share price has rocketed 80% higher so far in 2018. The key catalyst for this gain was the Federal Government's decision to allow the export of medicinal cannabis. As AusCann is one of the most advanced medicinal cannabis companies in Australia with all its key licenses in place and has a partnership with Canadian cannabis giant Canopy Growth Corp, the market appears to believe it could be on the verge of generating sizeable revenues due to these regulatory changes.
The Altium Limited (ASX: ALU) share price is up almost 50% since the turn of the year despite a recent sell-off brought about by the U.S. tech meltdown. The main driver of the jump in its share price was an outstanding half-year result in February. The software-as-a-service company reported half-year revenue growth of 30% to US$63.2 million and EBITDA growth of 51% to US$19 million. This puts Altium on course to achieve its annual revenue target of US$200 million by FY 2020.
The Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) share price has pushed almost 29% higher during the last three months. Investors have been fighting to get hold of the travel agent's shares amid improving conditions in the travel booking industry and a solid half-year result release. That release revealed that Flight Centre has made an impressive return to form with a 37% increase in half-year net profit after tax.
