Last Friday, 3 S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) blue-chip shares were included in the MCSI Australia Index. These were Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT), Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST). Notably, 2 of the 3 inclusions came from the gold mining sector. 

Once a share is included in an MCSI index it is automatically added to the portfolios of EFTs tracking that index. One example is the Vanguard MSCI Australian Large Companies Index ETF (ASX: VLF). With billions of dollars in play, any small change can cause large scale ripples.

Last week, all 3 companies saw their share prices rise considerably from a mid-week low point. In my opinion, they are positioned to enjoy a continued rise in share prices this week.

Blue chip winners

Afterpay is the most prominent and reported on ASX 200 share today. It is nothing short of a phenomenon. Last week, the company’s share price rose 4.98% from its low on Wednesday to Friday’s close. The current Afterpay valuation is a point of contention among investors. Nonetheless, its position as a growth share is clear. 

Northern Star has been the best growth share on the ASX 200 over the past 10 years. An initial investment on 1 January 2010 would have grown an amazing 490 times so far. From Wednesday’s low to Friday’s close last week, the Northern Star share price rose by 10.83%.

The company is known for increasing the gold reserves and production output of mines it acquires. It recently purchased 5% of the Kalgoorlie super pit mine site. This included the operating rights. In my opinion, it set to continue its share price rise.

Evolution Mining is another Australian blue chip gold miner that is known for its productivity. Its most recent acquisition, Red Lake, is likely to see an improvement in productivity. Evolution shares rose 10.37% from their low point on Wednesday last week to Friday’s close. 

Make room

In addition, 8 companies were dropped into the MSCI World Small Cap Index. These were Alumina Limited (ASX: AWC), Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN), Boral Limited (ASX: BLD), Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF), Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT), Harvey Norman Holdings Limited (ASX: HVN), Incitec Pivot Ltd (ASX: IPL), and Worley Ltd (ASX: WOR).

More reading

• Afterpay share price rockets 50% in May, is it in the buy zone?
• 3 best stocks for ASX 200 investors in retirement to buy now
• Why the price of these ASX travel shares soared over 30% since mid-May
• 3 top ASX dividend shares to buy now
• 3 ASX 200 shares to watch this week

Motley Fool contributor Daryl Mather has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Challenger Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of AFTERPAY T FPO. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Flight Centre Travel Group Limited. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The post Why these 3 ASX 200 blue chips could be set for growth this week appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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The Whispir Ltd (ASX: WSP) share price is starting the week off with a bang. Whispir shares are up 7.63% at the time of writing to $2.54 apiece on the back of an FY20 trading update.

Whispir is a software-as-a-service company that provides a communications workflow platform to help businesses automate their interactions with employees, customers, suppliers, job applicants, and other stakeholders.

Whispir operates globally and supports some of the world’s most renowned brands including Disney, Coca Cola and Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN).

The company is on the smaller end of the ASX with a market capitalisation of $264 million and is relatively new to the market after listing in June 2019.

Why the Whispir share price is spiking

This morning, Whispir provided an FY20 trading update. The company now expects its FY20 result for earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) to be between negative $7.9 million and negative $7.4 million. This is well ahead of the prospectus forecast of negative $9.4 million.

Whispir attributed this material lift to a combination of stronger than forecast revenue and operating expenditure being lower than expected.

The company has set its sights on releasing its FY20 results on or around 26 August 2020.

The Whispir share price has been a standout performer in recent months, bouncing 274% from an all-time low of 68 cents in March.

Along with overall market sentiment, this has likely been due to the increased reliance on communication amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Back in April, Whispir reported an uptick in demand as customers used its platform to communicate in an effective and timely manner. Notably, the third quarter of FY20 ending 31 March saw the company report a record 49 net new customers, as well as increased platform use by existing customers.

The company had a total of 558 customers at the end of the quarter, including Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services who is using the Whispir platform to interact with Victorians as part of its coronavirus containment plan.

Importantly, the company remained well-positioned for stability and growth at the end of the quarter with a cash and cash equivalents balance of $16.7 million at 31 March 2020.

Despite being further up the risk curve, I believe Whispir is a small-cap ASX tech share to watch due to COVID-19 tailwinds and the company’s capital-light business model, large addressable market opportunity and high recurring revenue growth. 

More reading

• 5 exciting small cap ASX shares to watch in June
• Why Afterpay and these ASX shares just zoomed to 52-week highs
• 3 under the radar ASX tech shares to watch
• 3 small cap ASX tech shares that could be stars of the future
• Could these small cap ASX shares be the next Afterpay?

Cathryn Goh has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and recommends Walt Disney. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Whispir Ltd and recommends the following options: long January 2021 $60 calls on Walt Disney and short July 2020 $115 calls on Walt Disney. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Walt Disney and Whispir Ltd. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The post Whispir share price bounces as the ASX tech share upgrades FY20 guidance appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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