In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to start the week with a solid gain. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is up 0.45% to 7,436.8 points.
Four ASX shares that are climbing more than most today are listed below. Here's why they are charging higher:
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APM Human Services International Ltd (ASX: APM)
The APM Human Services share price is up 3.5% to $2.94. Investors have been buying this human services provider's shares after it announced new contract wins. According to the release, APM has been awarded 44 Workforce Australia contracts across 27 employment regions in Australia.
Firefinch Ltd (ASX: FFX)
The Firefinch share price is up 2.5% to 96.8 cents. This morning the gold and lithium explorer announced that the final conditions have been met regarding Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co's investment into its Goulamina Lithium Project. The 50:50 joint venture will benefit from a total debt and equity funding package of at least US$170 million.
Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO)
The Rio Tinto share price is up 2% to $119.23. This appears to have been driven by a broker note out of UBS this morning. According to the note, the broker has taken its sell rating off the mining giant's shares and upgraded them to neutral. UBS made the move after increasing its iron ore price forecasts.
Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL)
The Soul Patts share price is up 3.5% to $28.59. Investors have been buying this investment company's shares after they were the subject of a positive broker note out of Morgans. According to the note, the broker has upgraded Soul Patts' shares to an add rating with a $30.60 price target. It made the move largely on valuation grounds following recent weakness in its share price.
