Today, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) dished up another solid performance. At the end of the session, the benchmark index finished 0.48% higher at 7,474.4 points.

It was a mixed market for investors on Thursday, but the upwards movers prevailed over the laggards. Notably, iron ore companies were in full form today as the price for the steelmaking commodity continues to rebound amid poor weather in Brazil. On the flip side, the Aussie index was held back by a disappointing showing among tech and healthcare shares.

However, the question is: which shares delivered the biggest returns to investors on the ASX today? Here are the top ten stocks that came through for investors:

Top 10 ASX shares countdown today

Looking at the top 200 listed companies, Crown Resorts Ltd (ASX: CWN) was the biggest gainer today. Shares in the casino and resorts operator jumped 8.26% after the company received an improved takeover proposal from Blackstone. Find out more about Crown Resorts here.

The next biggest gaining ASX share today was Nickel Mines Ltd (ASX: NIC). The nickel producer rallied 4.84% despite there being no announcements from the miner. Uncover the latest Nickel Mines details here.

Today’s top 10 biggest gains were made in these ASX shares:

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
Crown Resorts Ltd (ASX: CWN)	$12.59	8.26%
Nickel Mines Ltd (ASX: NIC)	$1.625	4.84%
Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO)	$111.74	4.17%
Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR)	$1.695	3.99%
BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)	$46.90	3.95%
South32 Ltd (ASX: S32)	$4.25	3.91%
Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS)	$3.72	3.91%
Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA)	$6.39	3.90%
TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPG)	$6.36	3.58%
Chalice Mining Ltd (ASX: CHN)	$8.71	3.44%

Our top 10 ASX shares today countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary to ensure you know which companies were making big moves on the day. Check-in at Fool.com.au after the market has closed during weekdays to see which stocks make the countdown.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the 3 most heavily traded ASX 200 shares on Thursday
• Why BrainChip, Crown, Objective, and South32 shares are racing higher
• Here’s why the Crown (ASX:CWN) share price jumped 9% today
• ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) midday update: Crown jumps, miners rally, Sonic sinks
• Crown (ASX:CWN) share price on watch after Blackstone ups takeover bid

Motley Fool contributor Mitchell Lawler has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended TPG Telecom Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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The Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) share price suffered on Thursday despite the broader market trading in the green. Though, it wasn’t alone in its fall. Many of its ASX travel peers also slipped today.

As of Thursday’s close, the Flight Centre share price is $18.13, 2.37% lower than it was at the end of Wednesday’s session.

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gained 0.48% today, while the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) finished 0.45% higher.

Let’s take a look at what might have contributed to ASX travel stocks’ dive today.

What weighed on the Flight Centre share price today?

The Flight Centre share price was one of the worst performing ASX travel shares on Thursday.

It was joined in the red by the Helloworld Travel Ltd (ASX: HLO) share price. It slipped a notable 2.51%.

Meanwhile, shares in Corporate Travel Management Ltd (ASX: CTD), Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN), and Webjet Limited (ASX: WEB) each slumped 2.19%, 2.35%, and 0.55% respectively.

That’s despite no news having been released by any of the ASX travel majors. However, today marks one of the worst days of the COVID-19 pandemic for Australia so far.

While the changing COVID-19 situation likely hasn’t directly weighed on any particular share price, it could have impacted sentiment for the sector.

Both Queensland and New South Wales recorded a record number of new cases on Thursday, while Western Australia shut its border entirely.

The state has now officially banned travel from the Northern Territory, leaving it without a single open border.

However, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that the sunshine state will drop all border requirements for domestic arrivals from 1 am on 15 January.

Today’s drop sees the Flight Centre share price 2.9% lower year to date. Though, it has gained 4% since this time last month.

The post Why did the Flight Centre (ASX:FLT) share price slump on Thursday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why did the Flight Centre (ASX:FLT) share price have such a volatile year in 2021?
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• Buying ASX shares in 2022? Here’s what you need to know: expert
• 5 best ASX 200 travel shares of 2021
• 2 ASX travel shares that flew higher than Flight Centre (ASX:FLT) in 2021

Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns and has recommended Helloworld Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns and has recommended Helloworld Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Corporate Travel Management Limited, Flight Centre Travel Group Limited, and Webjet Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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The Green Technology Metals Ltd (ASX: GT1) share price continued its impressive run today despite no news from the lithium company.

At the closing bell, the company’s shares were swapping hands for 83 cents, up 1.84%. However, in earlier trade, they hit 95 cents, a 16.5% gain on yesterday’s closing price.

Let’s take a look at what might be impacting the company’s share price.

Lithium exploring

The Green Technology share price has been on a roll since the start of the year. Since the market closed on 31 December, the explorer’s shares have exploded by 59.6%. They have finished in the green every day this week, including soaring by 13.77% on Tuesday.

Investors may be reacting to strong demand for lithium and a tightening supply. Lithium carbonate prices in China have soared 10% from 277,500 yuan per tonne to 306,500 yuan per tonne since the start of the year.

Bloomberg reported on Wednesday supplies of the battery commodity are at risk, while demand is increasing due to growing electric vehicle uptake. Plant maintenance and Winter Olympic restrictions in China and labour shortages in Australia were cited as reasons for the supply issue.

Additionally, Liontown Resources CEO Tony Ottaviano on Wednesday played down concerns by some analysts over a lithium supply glut. He noted the difficulties for smaller companies entering the lithium space. 

Positive broker notes on the lithium sector may also be weighing on investors’ minds. As my Foolish Colleague Brooke reported on Tuesday, multiple brokers are optimistic about the commodity. JP Morgan expects the lithium market will grow 24% by 2030, while S&P Global Platts predicts a supply shortfall of 5,000 megatons of lithium carbonate in 2022.

In December Green Technology advised it had commenced drilling at the Seymour lithium asset in Ontario, Canada. Drilling is expected to be completed by March 2022. Results from the drilling are not yet available.

Also, on 4 January, the company provided a response to a price query from the ASX. Green Technology confirmed it is complying with the listing rules and is not aware of any information not released to the market that could explain recent trading of its shares.

That day, Green Technology shares hit a new record high of 68 cents amid optimism over the impending drilling results.

Green Technology share price snapshot

The Green Technology share price has soared 140% in the past months and 33% in the past week.

In comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has returned 1.6% in the past month.

The company commands a market capitalisation of roughly $160.9 million based on the current share price.

The post How has the Green Technology Metals (ASX:GT1) share price surged 60% already this year? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The Green Technology Metals (ASX:GT1) share price jumped 30% to a record high today

The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

Tesla‘s (NASDAQ: TSLA) shareholders have endured some stomach-turning volatility in recent months. After surging to new all-time highs above $1,200 in early November, the electric vehicle (EV) company’s stock price plunged below $900 by late December. 

Tesla’s shares have clawed back most of those losses in recent weeks. Yet after seeing its stock whipsaw, many investors are still struggling to find the answer to an important question: Is the stock a buy today?

Two analysts put forth that it is. Here’s why.

Goldman Sachs analyst Mark Delaney is bullish on Tesla’s shares. On Monday, he reiterated his buy recommendation on the EV giant’s stock and boosted his price forecast from $1,125 to $1,200, or roughly 8% above its current price near $1,106.

Delaney believes Tesla’s stock represents the best way for investors to profit from the long-term growth of the electric vehicle market. He points to the EV titan’s strong fourth-quarter deliveries of over 308,000 vehicles as a sign that Tesla will continue to enjoy strong demand for its cars in the coming years. He also expects the company’s profit margins to improve as it scales its production.

Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas is another Tesla bull. He sees the EV maker’s shares rising roughly 18%, to $1,300.

Like Delaney, Jonas cautioned investors to not overlook Tesla’s impressive fourth-quarter delivery figures. Instead, he believes two powerful takeaways can be gleaned from the report: Tesla is the undisputed EV leader, and it’s widening its lead over its rivals.

So, is Tesla a buy?

If Delaney and Jonas are correct, Tesla stands to benefit from the global shift to electric vehicles more than any other company. That would make its stock an attractive buy, and one that could reward investors handsomely in the coming decade. 

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

The post Tesla stock is back above $1,100. Is the EV leader a buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Joe Tenebruso has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns and recommends Tesla. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

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