S&P/ASX 200 trades near flatline as buy-now pay-later firms report results

S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) remained above the flat line at 12.57 pm, rising 0.026% to 6,975.8 points with a 2.2% gain for the IT sector while utilities fell 1.21%. Buy-now pay-later results Afterpay (ASX:APT) shares rose 2.9% after the buy-now pay-later (BNPL) player released its March quarter update. The company’s revenue was $114.4 million in the quarter, as spending on its platform jumped by 114% in annual terms. Zip Co (ASX:Z1P) surged more than 10% after revenues jumped amid a surge in transactions in its crucial US business. The BNPL player reported a record quarterly revenue of $114.4 million which was up 80% on the same time last year. Bitcoin surges Bitcoin remained above US$60,000 and near its record high this morning as it continued a strong run over the past two weeks. The world’s most popular cryptocurrency rose to US$60,786.46 today - about US$1000 short of the US$61,780.63 record set last month. Top gainers Today’s top gainers on the ASX include Alto Metals Ltd (ASX:AME) (+11.11%), GTI Resources Ltd (ASX:GTR) (+8.33%), Peninsula Energy Ltd (ASX:PEN) (+8.70%), PolarX Ltd (ASX:PXX) (+13.79%) and Walkabout Resources Ltd (ASX:WKT) (+44.44%). Proactive news headlines: Technology Metals up as test-work confirms high-value titanium by-product from Yarrabubba Iron-Vanadium Project Technology Metals Australia Ltd (ASX:TMT) (FRA:TN6) is trading higher after industry experts confirmed the scope to generate additional revenue by way of a high-value titanium by-product from the Yarrabubba Iron-Vanadium Project in Western Australia. Great Boulder Resources ahead of schedule with Side Well Gold Project RC drilling Great Boulder Resources Ltd (ASX:GBR) has reverse circulation (RC) drilling underway at the Side Well Gold Project near Meekatharra in Western Australia’s Mid-West, designed to follow up shallow, high-grade gold mineralisation. Peninsula Energy's low-pH field demonstration test adjustments for Lance Project deliver encouraging results Peninsula Energy Ltd’s (ASX:PEN) (OTCMKTS:PENMF) (FRA:P1M) MU1A low-pH field demonstration test modifications for the flagship Lance Project in Wyoming, USA, have delivered favourable results including an increase in uranium recovery solution and improved response time in modified test patterns. PolarX begins fieldwork at Humboldt Range Gold-Silver Project in Nevada aimed at establishing drill targets PolarX Ltd (ASX:PXX) (OTCMKTS:PXXXF) (FRA:PX0) has mobilised its field team to the Humboldt Range Gold-Silver Project in Nevada with fieldwork, including extensive geological mapping and rock-chip sampling, expected to begin this week aimed at establishing drilling targets. Castillo Copper's review of BHP and MIM historical data review points to compelling case for Arya Prospect Castillo Copper Ltd (ASX:CCZ) (LON:CCZ) (FRA:7OR) is gearing up to resume drilling at Mt Oxide Project in the Mt Isa Copper Belt of northwest Queensland off the back of a review of historical data that enhances the exploration potential of Arya prospect. Triangle Energy’s Cliff Head Alpha platform and Arrowsmith Stabilisation Plant unscathed Triangle Energy (Global) Ltd’s (ASX:TEG) (FRA:WMOA) operating facilities in Western Australia remain in excellent condition after the passing of severe weather event Tropical Cyclone Seroja in the region. Fenix Resources iron ore mine at Iron Ridge not impacted by Cyclone Seroja Fenix Resources Ltd’s (ASX:FEX) Iron Ridge iron ore mine in WA’s Mid-West has not been impacted by the passage of Cyclone Seroja.