Why these 4 ASX shares have climbed higher today

The Carsales.Com Ltd (ASX:CAR) share price is one of four defying the market selloff and climbing higher on Wednesday. Here's why…

a woman

It has been another disappointing day for the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO). In afternoon trade the benchmark index is down 1.1% to 5,611.4 points.

Four shares that have defied the market selloff and climbed higher today are listed below. Here's why they are on the rise:

The Carsales.Com Ltd (ASX: CAR) share price has climbed 3% higher to $11.57. Today's gain appears to be attributable to a broker note out of Ord Minnett this morning. According to the note, the broker has upgraded Carsales.com's shares to a buy rating with a $14.84 price target. Its analysts believe that the car listing company's core business remains strong and its long-term international opportunity is significant.

The Reject Shop Ltd (ASX: TRS) share price has surged 14.5% higher to $2.78 after the discount retailer received a takeover approach from a company controlled by the Kin Group. An unconditional on-market takeover offer of $2.70 cash per share has been made. This represents a ~19% premium to Reject Shop's 1-month VWAP of $2.271. It is worth noting that just six months ago the retailer's shares were priced at $6.56.

The Sonic Healthcare Limited (ASX: SHL) share price has pushed 2.5% higher to $22.14 despite there being no news out of the healthcare company. The healthcare sector is the only area of the market in positive territory right now. Investors appear to have rotated to the sector today to escape the market selloff.

The Trade Me Group Ltd (ASX: TME) share price has stormed 17% higher to $5.60. Investors have been fighting to get hold of the New Zealand-based online auction and classifieds company's shares after it received a takeover approach. According to the release, Trade Me has received a preliminary, non binding, indicative proposal from Apax Partners to acquire it for a cash price of NZ$6.40 (A$6.02) per share.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended carsales.com Limited and The Reject Shop Limited. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Share Gainers

An ASX investor relaxes on her couch as the Harvey Norman share price drops due to the shares trading ex-dividend from today.
Share Gainers

Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

The ASX managed to pull a rabbit out of the hat today.

Read more »

Fancy font saying top ten surrounded by gold leaf set against a dark background of glittering stars.
Share Gainers

Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

It was a rough session for the ASX this Thursday.

Read more »

An old-fashioned panel of judges each holding a card with the number 10
Share Gainers

Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

It was a volatile, but successful, day for investors.

Read more »

Three men stand on a winner's podium with medals around their necks and their hands raised in triumph.
Share Gainers

Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

It was a muted day on the ASX.

Read more »

A panel of four judges hold up cards all showing the perfect score of ten out of ten
Share Gainers

Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

It was a happy start to the trading week this Monday.

Read more »

Girl with painted hands.
Share Gainers

Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

It was a remarkably positive end to the trading week.

Read more »

3 children standing on podiums wearing Olympic medals.
Share Gainers

Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

A late rally couldn't save the ASX this Thursday.

Read more »

Fancy font saying top ten surrounded by gold leaf set against a dark background of glittering stars.
Share Gainers

Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

It was a rather woeful Wednesday for the markets.

Read more »