The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has fought back from a poor start and is down in afternoon trade. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down slightly to 8,289.8 points.
Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back are listed below. Here's why they are rising:
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APA Group (ASX: APA)
The APA Group share price is up 6% to $7.02. This morning, this energy infrastructure company released its half year results and revealed a 7.1% increase in revenue to $1,364 million and a 9.1% lift in underlying EBITDA to $1,015 million. Management advised that this was driven by strong performance from new assets, higher customer demand for seasonal gas transmission capacity, inflation-linked tariff increases, and reduced cost growth. This allowed the company to increase its half year dividend to 27 cents per share. This interim dividend alone equates to a generous 3.8% dividend yield.
Aussie Broadband Ltd (ASX: ABB)
The Aussie Broadband share price is up over 3% to $3.96. This follows the release of the broadband provider's half year results up 6.8% to $588.5 million and an 8.9% lift in underlying EBITDA to $65.8 million. This was driven by a 12.5% increase in total on-net broadband connections to 727,951. In light of this solid first half, Aussie Broadband has upgraded its FY 2025 underlying EBITDA guidance to $133 million to $138 million (from $125 million to $135 million).
Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU)
The Neuren Pharmaceuticals share price is up 5% to $13.97. This morning, this pharmaceutical company received a boost from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to the release, Neuren has received Rare Paediatric Disease Designation from the FDA for NNZ-2591 in each of Pitt Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) and Angelman syndrome (AS). Neuren has also previously received Rare Pediatric Disease Designation from the FDA for NNZ-2591 in Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS).
NIB Holdings Limited (ASX: NHF)
The NIB Holdings share price is up 15% to $6.87. Investors have been buying this private health insurer's shares following the release of its half year results. The company reported a 7.7% increase in revenue to $1.7 billion but a 27% decline in underlying operating profit (UPO) to $105.8 million. Management notes that "the reduction in 1H25 UOP was anticipated, following unusually high margins in 1H24, and a fall in the New Zealand profit in 1H25 amidst slow economic growth and industry-wide, high claims inflation in New Zealand." Looking ahead, management expects full year group UOP of $235 million to $250 million in FY 2025.
