The S&P/ASX 200 Index (INDEXASX: XJO) had a strong start to the week on Monday after recording its best gains since May 2019.
The ASX 200 climbed 1.6% higher to close at 6,849.7 points. The broader All Ordinaries Index (INDEXASX: XAO) finished 1.57% higher at 6,952.30 points.
All of the major ASX sectors closed higher led by strong gains in Utilities (+3.32%) and Consumer Discretionary (+2.02%). The Consumer Staples edged 0.26% as the worst-performing ASX 200 sector on Monday.
Here's a recap of the news, announcement and events that you missed on another strong day for Aussie equities.
1. Nearmap, Virgin Money lead ASX 200 gainers on Monday
The Nearmap Ltd (ASX: NEA) share price closed 8.75% higher on Monday to be a top-performing ASX 200 stock.
The geospatial mapping group's shares rocketed despite no announcements or news yesterday.
Nearmap did announce a US$3.5 million acquisition of Primitive LLC (Pushpin) last week and has some bullish Morgan Stanley analysts backing it to climb higher.
It was a similar story for Virgin Money UK Plc (ASX: VUK) yesterday which also gained 8.75% to close at $4.10 per share.
Investors scrambled to buy Virgin Money shares after the weekend's Brexit result. A resolution looks more likely after the Conservatives were returned with a majority, and the Clydesdale & Yorkshire bank spin-off's shares rocketed.
2. Perenti Global shares tank 18.90% lower
Perenti Global Ltd (ASX: PRN), formerly known as Ausdrill Ltd, saw its shares crash lower yesterday.
The Aussie mining services company's share price plummeted 18.90% lower to close at $1.70 per share. The big catalyst was a revised FY 2020 earnings guidance and contract update from the group.
Perenti said Ghana Manganese Company has terminated its equipment hire contract with its African Mining Services business. However, the ASX 200 company lowered its net profit after tax (NPAT) guidance on Monday and sent its shares plummeting.
Perenti downgraded its underlying NPAT guidance from $140 million to between $115 million and $120 million.
3. Appen leads WAAAX tech stocks higher
The Appen Ltd (ASX: APX) share price surged 5.23% higher yesterday as the WAAAX tech shares performed strongly.
Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) shares jumped 1.95% while Altium Limited (ASX: ALU) climbed 2.71% to the market close.
There was no specific news from many of the group but a strong ASX 200 performance on Monday and Brexit positivity helped the WAAAX group.
