The S&P/ASX 200 index has failed to follow the lead of U.S. markets and is on course to start the week in the red. At the time of writing the benchmark index is down 0.1% to 6,245 points.
Four shares that have not let that hold them back today are listed below. Here's why they have started the week with a bang:
The Bravura Solutions Ltd (ASX: BVS) share price is up almost 5% to $5.65. Investors appear to have spent the weekend weighing up the company's planned acquisition of GBST Holdings Limited (ASX: GBT) and decided that it could add a lot of value. I think the acquisition would be a good one and continue to believe Bravura Solutions would be a great long-term investment.
The Integrated Research Limited (ASX: IRI) share price has charged 9% higher to $2.59 after the software company announced the appointment of its new CEO and provided a trading update. Integrated Research has appointed John Ruthven as its new CEO, replacing John Merakovsky who resigned in November to become the CEO of Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) subsidiary, flybuys. In addition to this, the company revealed that its third quarter performance has shown "a strong uplift compared to prior corresponding period."
The Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) share price is up almost 4% to $4.19 after the coal miner's shares were upgraded by analysts at Macquarie. According to the note, the broker has upgraded its shares to an outperform rating with a $4.20 price target. Macquarie made the move on the belief that coal prices may now have bottomed.
The Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P) share price has continued its impressive run and is up a further 7% to $2.57 despite there being no news out of the buy now, pay later company. Investors may believe that its shares are undervalued in comparison to many of its industry peers. This latest gain means the Zip Co share price has risen 189% since this time last year.
