In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is back on form and is edging higher. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is up 0.1% to 7,546.2 points.
Four ASX shares that are climbing more than most today are listed below. Here's why they are rising:
Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT)
The Beach share price is up 2.5% to $1.58. This may have been driven by a broker note out of Macquarie. Its analysts have upgraded the energy producer's shares to a neutral rating with a $1.50 price target. The broker was pleased with news that Webuild has been appointed to complete the Waitsia gas plant construction.
Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL)
The Medibank share price is up 2% to $3.03. This morning, this private health insurer announced that it will increase its premiums by an average of 2.96% from April. This is the lowest increase in 22 years. Investors may believe this is a nice balance in the current environment. Medibank has also decided to defer this increase until the start of June.
Pushpay Holdings Ltd (ASX: PPH)
The Pushpay share price is up 2% to $1.20. Investors have been buying this donation technology provider's shares after it reconfirmed and narrowed its FY 2023 guidance. Pushpay now expects underlying EBITDAF of US$55 million to US$57 million. This compares to its previous guidance of US$54 million to US$58 million.
Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC)
The Whitehaven Coal share price is up 5.5% to $8.93. This has been driven by a strong rise in coal prices overnight. According to CommSec, Coal Nymex futures rose 5.3% to US$157.00 a tonne. This news has given a number of other ASX coal shares a major boost today.
