Not to spoil the surprise, but the media stocks that outperformed their peers probably aren't the ones you are expecting…

The 5 top performing ASX media shares of October

A quick note; this list only includes shares with market capitalisations of more than $100 million.

Enero Group Ltd (ASX: EGG)

The Enero share price has outperformed those of all its ASX media and communications-focused peers.

Through the month of October, it gained 30.69% to finish at $3.96.

Last month, Enero announced the September quarter had seen it with 22.6% more revenue and 50% more earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) than the same quarter of financial year 2021.

The company operates a number of brands in the communications and marketing spheres.

HT&E Ltd (ASX: HT1)

Coming in second best is HT&E, also known as Here, There & Everywhere.

The radio, audio, and digital content business saw its share price grow by 17.68% over the course of October to finish the month's final session at $1.93.  

The big news from HT&E last month was the settlement of a longstanding taxation dispute with the Australian Taxation Office.

IVE Group Ltd (ASX: IGL)

The IVE Group share price had a great October on the ASX. It gained 16.23% to end the period at $1.79.

The print and marketing company's stock was boosted by news of 2 acquisitions, both expanding IVE's retail display operations.

Gtn Ltd (ASX: GTN)

The Gtn share price also outperformed many of its peers over October, gaining 14.13% to finish at 52.5 cents.

Gtn – Global Traffic Network – provides traffic reports to radio stations in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Brazil. As compensation for supplying such reports, Gtn is generally given advertising slots. It then bundles and sells the slots to other parties.

There was no word from the company to explain its stock's surge last month.

NZME Ltd (ASX: NZM)

Finally, the crown for the fifth best performing media share of the month of October goes to NZME – New Zealand Media and Entertainment.

The company operates more than 50 print, radio, and digital media brands.

The NZME share price gained 13.27% over October. It finished the month trading at $1.11.

There were a number of announcements from NZME over October.

First, it updated the market on the impacts it was facing as COVID-19-induced lockdowns continued in New Zealand. The company's advertising revenue was hit by the lockdown. However, it remained 7% higher than during the prior corresponding period. The company also provided EBITDA guidance for the 2021 calendar year.

It later completed the sale of its GrabOne business.

The post These were the 5 best performing ASX media shares in October appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four shares that are climbing more than most are listed below. Here's why they are racing higher:

The AusCann Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: AC8) share price has rocketed 36% higher to 24.5 cents. This morning the cannabis company released an update on its proprietary cannabinoid-based hardshell capsules. According to the release, AusCann has completed manufacturing and testing of the hard-shell capsules and released them for clinical evaluation. AusCann is now aiming to have them available for patients in Australia during the first half of calendar year 2020.

The Codan Limited (ASX: CDA) share price has jumped 9% to $7.42. This morning the technology company revealed that it has continued to perform strongly since its annual general meeting in October. This has led to Metal Detection and Communications sales exceeding its expectations. In light of this, the Codan board now expects its underlying net profit after tax for the six months to December 31 to be in the order of $30 million. This compares to its previous guidance for an underlying net profit after tax of around $26 million for the first half.

The Electro Optic Systems Hldg Ltd (ASX: EOS) share price is up 4% to $7.29.  This follows the announcement of a new contract win by the Aerospace and Defence Markets-focused technology company this morning. According to the release, Electro Optic Systems has executed a contract with the Department of Defence for the supply of Remote Weapon Systems to the Land 400 Phase 2 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle project. The contract is valued at A$49 million.

The GTN Ltd (ASX: GTN) share price has surged 8% higher to 71.7 cents. The advertising platform provider's shares have taken off following the release of a trading update this morning. GTN revealed that it expects group revenue to be in the range of $94 million to $95 million in the first half. This compares to $94.4 million for the prior corresponding period. Management revealed that its revenue has been stronger during the second quarter of FY 2020.

The post Why AusCann, Codan, Electro Optic Systems, & GTN are racing higher appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four shares that have fallen more than most today are listed below. Here's why they have tumbled lower:

The ARQ Group Ltd (ASX: ARQ) share price has dropped over 35% to 84 cents after the release of a disappointing trading update. According to the release, the company's Core Operations are expected to generate between $15.5 million and $18.5 million of underlying EBITDA in FY 2019, which is sharply lower than its previous guidance and down from $24.5 million in FY 2018. This is due to the underperformance of its Enterprise division which expects to report underlying EBITDA of $12 million to $14.5 million, compared to guidance of $24 million.

The Australian Ethical Investment Limited (ASX: AEF) share price has fallen 4% to $1.88 after the investment company advised that its managing director and chief executive officer, Phil Vernon, will step down after nine years in the role. Under his leadership Australian Ethical's funds under management have increased from $600 million to over $3 billion. Mr Vernon will leave the company on August 31.

The GTN Ltd (ASX: GTN) share price has sunk 9.5% lower to 93.2 cents following the release of a trading update. This morning the supplier of traffic information reports to radio stations advised that it expects adjusted EBITDA for FY 2019 to be in the range of $37 million to $38 million. This compares to $48.1 million in the prior corresponding period. Management blamed the poor result on a combination of lower revenue and increasing expenses for its Australian business.

The National Storage REIT (ASX: NSR) share price has returned from its trading halt and is down 2.5% to $1.79. The self-storage operator requested the trading halt whilst it completed its $170 million institutional placement. The company successfully raised the funds at $1.71 per stapled security and will use the proceeds to fund its growth through acquisition strategy.

The post Why ARQ Group, Australian Ethical, GTN, & National Storage shares tumbled lower today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

WAM Research said that its investment portfolio decreased by 11.1% during the half-year compared to the ASX All Ordinaries which only fell by 7.3%. Market volatility, falling housing prices, diminishing consumer & business sentiment and the Royal Commission all hurt ASX shares.

Dividends are a key component of WAM Research returns, it has increased the dividend by 2.1% to 4.85 cents per share in the December 2018 half-year.

The listed investment company (LIC) said that to preserve its portfolio value it increased its cash position to 53.3% by the end of 2018, although it has since reduced that to 35.1%.

WAM Research also said that its investment portfolio has increased by 3.8% in the month to date.

According to Chairman and CIO Geoff Wilson, WAM Research's holdings that performed well were Scottish Pacific Group Limited (ASX: SCO), Jumbo Interactive Ltd (ASX: JIN), Bravura Solutions Ltd (ASX: BVS), Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI) and IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH).

Some of the not-so-good ones were Emeco Holdings Limited (ASX: EHL), Gtn Ltd (ASX: GTN), Seven West Media Ltd (ASX: SWM), FlexiGroup Limited (ASX: FXL) and Worleyparsons Limited (ASX: WOR).

Is WAM Research a buy?

With the United States Federal Reserve making an unexpected about-face about its policy, WAM Research is a bit more confident about shares in the shorter-term.

With an annualised dividend of 9.7 cents per share it has a grossed-up dividend yield of 10%. This is a very attractive yield in today's low interest world, but it requires WAM Research to continue to generate strong investment returns considering the high premium to NTA.

The post WAM Research reports: Is the share price a buy for the 10% dividend yield? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four shares that have fallen more than most today are listed below. Here's why they have crashed lower:

The BWX Ltd (ASX: BWX) share price has crashed 41% lower to $1.69 after the personal care products company released a trading update. Based on trading to November 30, management expects FY 2019 normalised EBITDA to be in the range of $27 million to $32 million. This compares to its previous guidance of normalised EBITDA in line with FY 2018's $40.3 million. Management has blamed the underperformance on a number of factors including softness in domestic export trading sales to China and the temporary loss of sales momentum in core U.S. brands.

The GTN Ltd (ASX: GTN) share price has plunged 40% lower to $1.06 after the advertising company released its first half EBITDA guidance. According to the release, adjusted EBITDA is expected to be down 10% to 15% on the prior corresponding period. This has been driven by a decline in revenue coupled with an increase in expenses in the company's key Australia segment.

The MYOB Group Ltd (ASX: MYO) share price has dropped over 10.5% to $3.01 after the accounting software company released an update in relation to discussions with private equity firm KKR. According to the update, KKR has revised its offer down approximately 10% from $3.77 per share to $3.40 per share following the completion of due diligence and the finalisation of debt funding commitments.

The InvoCare Limited (ASX: IVC) share price is down 5.5% to $10.32 after one of its rivals revealed that funeral market conditions continue to be weak. The Propel Funeral Partners Ltd (ASX: PFP) trading update blamed the weakness on the funeral industry cycling through a strong prior corresponding period which included a severe flu season. Whereas the 2018 flu season was benign and led to a sharp decline in death rates.

The post Why BWX, InvoCare, MYOB, and GTN shares crashed lower today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.