At lunch on Monday the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to start the week on a positive note. The benchmark index is currently up 0.7% to 6,679 points.
Here's what has been happening on the market today:
Metcash jumps on half year results release.
The Metcash Limited (ASX: MTS) share price is jumping higher following the release of a strong half year result. For the six months ended 31 October, Metcash reported a 12.2% increase in group revenue to $7.1 billion and a 43% lift in underlying profit after tax to $129.6 million. Food sales were up 9.5%, Liquor sales rose 14.3%, and Hardware sales jumped 20.6%. Pleasingly, this positive momentum has carried over into the second half.
Iron ore producers storm higher.
Iron ore producers including BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) are charging higher on Monday after the price of the steel making ingredient surged higher again. According to CommSec, on Friday the spot iron ore price jumped a further 5.4% to US$145.30 a tonne. News that Vale has downgraded its production guidance and robust demand have given prices a boost.
Xero shares given buy rating.
The Xero Limited (ASX: XRO) share price is charging higher today after analysts at Goldman Sachs slapped a buy rating and $157.00 price target on its shares. Goldman believes the cloud-based business and accounting software provider's total addressable market will increase significantly in the future. Combined with attractive unit economics, the broker believes the long-term earnings opportunity for Xero is material.
Best and worst ASX 200 performers.
The best performer on the ASX 200 on Monday has been the Metcash share price with a 9.5% gain following its half year results release. The worst performer has been the IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) share price with a 3.5% decline. This appears to be down to profit taking after strong gains over the last couple of months.
