The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) came tumbling down today, losing 1.3% and wiping $23 billion of value off the market – according to Fairfax Media.

That follows similar falls on US markets on Friday, where the Dow Jones lost 1.5% and the NASDAQ fell 1.1%. Strong US economic data likely means the US central bank will raise US interest rates sooner rather than later. That means bad news for gold stocks in particular, with the S&P/ASX All Ords Gold (Index: ^AXGD) (ASX: XGD) down more than 5% today, with gold trading around US$1,172 an ounce.

Among the gold losers were Regis Resources Limited (ASX: RRL) losing 11.4%, Beadell Resources Ltd (ASX: BDR) down 8.9%, Saracen Mineral Holdings Limited (ASX: SAR) down 8% while Perseus Mining Limited (ASX: PRU), Evolution FPO (ASX: EVN) and Resolute Mining Limited (ASX: RSG) all fell around 7%.

Genetic Technologies Limited (ASX: GTG) dropped 16% to 4.2 cents. The company, which specialises in DNA testing, has soared 40% in the last month, including today's fall. On Friday, Genetic went into a trading halt, before announcing that it was raising $18.6 million (clearly taking advantage of the surging price) through the issue of the equivalent of 500 million shares to US investors. That will significantly dilute existing shareholders – hence the price fall when trading resumed today.

Mining equipment supplier Bradken Limited (ASX: BKN) crashed down 14% to $1.90, despite no news from the company. Sliding commodity prices, particularly gold which is now below US$1,200 an ounce and expected to fall much further if the US dollar strengthens, but also iron ore could mean less business for Bradken. Early price falls suggest traders were spooked by the fall and rushed for the exit, only to perpetuate the falls throughout the day. The market may well change its mind tomorrow and push the stock up.

Imdex Limited (ASX: IMD) also fell, losing 10.6% to close at 29.5 cents, likely for similar reasons to Bradken, given the company also provides products and equipment to the resources and energy sector. Mining services contractor NRW Holdings Limited (ASX: NWH) also slumped 10% to 22.5 cents.

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Who would've thought it?

After spending 99% of the day in the red, the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) managed to surge at the close and finish flat at 5,904.2 led by gains in the big supermarket retailers and insurers.

Here's why these four stocks managed to soar today…

Two data security/encryption firms rocketed up today, Covata Ltd (ASX: CVT) and Senetas Corporation Limited (ASX: SEN). Covata gained 21% to 29 cents while Senetas added 13.3% to 9.4 cents. But the gains may be short-lived. Neither company released any information yesterday, but Senetas has been spruiked by an investing service (via email for free), which may be the reason why shares have shot up in both companies today.

Despite that, as data security becomes ever more important, it's likely the companies offering security technologies will be in big demand. Senetas is already profitable and is forecasting strong growth this year while Covata is a recent back-door listing, so we don't have much financial information to go on.

Genetic Technologies Limited (ASX: GTG) gained 16.3% to 5 cents, continuing the company's rollercoaster ride in the past few months. Since early January, Genetic Tech shares are up 188%, but down 42% since Feb 19, including today's rise. Clearly the market doesn't know how to value the unprofitable company, which specialises in DNA testing, including those addressing various aspects of cancer development, progression and management. Where the share price goes next is anybody's guess.

Cynata Therapeutics Ltd (ASX: CYP) also soared 16.3%, closing at $1.355. Cynata specialises in stem cell and regenerative medicine and today announced that CEO Dr Ross Macdonald would be presenting a company overview and holding one-on-one meetings with institutional investors at the annual ASX Spotlight conference in New York. If Mr Macdonald can win large US investors over, Cynata could see those investors keen to invest in the company.

The post 4 stocks soaring on the ASX today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Genetic Technologies Limited (ASX: GTG) ("GTL") has seen its share price soar another 30% today, after its ADR shares on NASDAQ surged 8% earlier this week and 36% overnight.

ADRs or American Depositary Receipts are a security that trade on US exchanges and represent shares traded on other stock exchanges. In Genetic Technologies' case, 1 ADR is the equivalent of 150 GTL shares traded on the ASX.

Genetic Technologies specialises in providing genetic tests, including those addressing various aspects of cancer development, progression and management. In October 2014, the company announced the US launch of BREVAGenplus, an easy-to-use test for breast cancer.

In a statement to the ASX, after receiving a speeding ticket yesterday, Genetic Technologies pointed to its recent announcement that up to 6 new breast diagnosis / treatment centres are expected to be offering BREVAGenplus to their at-risk patients in January to March 2015. But, the company says this will only impact on sales results in the second half of this calendar year.

In the past month, shares in GTL have climbed 240%, including rising 100% following the announcement mentioned above. More centres are expected to follow later this year, and as a result Genetic Technologies says it "expects sales growth to accelerate in the second half of this year and beyond".

The company recently changed its strategy to focus on large comprehensive breast treatment and imaging centres, which have a longer sales cycle, but higher potential.

Genetic Technologies is still looking to raise capital to fund the development of BREVAGenplus, which could see shares issued at a substantial discount to the current price.

While still speculative, Foolish investors may want to keep their eye on Genetic Technologies, given not only the prevalence of breast cancer, but also the recommended medical testing to identify the cancers before they become a major problem.

The post Genetic Technologies Limited soars 30%: Here's why appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.