The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to record a strong gain on Thursday. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is up 0.4% to 8,272 points.
Four ASX shares that are rising more than most today are listed below. Here's why they are jumping:
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Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE)
The Eagers Automotive share price is up 22% to $15.27. Investors have been buying the auto retailer's shares following the release of its full year results. Eagers Automotive reported a 13.6% increase in revenue to $11.2 billion and record underlying EBITDAI of $550.4 million. This led to the company maintaining its fully franked dividend at a record of 50 cents per share.
Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL)
The Medibank share price is up 9% to $4.39 following the release of the private health insurer's half year results. Medibank posted a 6.1% increase in revenue to $4.3 billion and a 13.8% jump in underlying net profit to $298.7 million. This led to the Medibank board lifting its fully franked interim dividend by 8.3% to 7.8 cents per share. Management also lowered its FY 2025 resident health insurance claims per policy unit growth forecast to between 2.4% and 2.6% from ~2.7%. In other news, the government has approved a 3.99% average increase in Medibank health insurance premiums.
Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU)
The Neuren Pharmaceuticals share price is up 8.5% to $14.15. This morning, this pharmaceuticals company released sales data for its Daybue product, which is licensed to its partner Acadia Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ACAD). It announced 2024 net sales of Daybue in the United States of US$348.4 million. This is up 97% from 2023 and towards the top of its previous guidance range of US$340 million to US$350 million. This means that Neuren expects to receive royalties of A$56.2 million for 2024.
Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)
The Qantas share price is up 5% to $9.35. Investors have been buying the airline operator's shares after it impressed with its half year results. Qantas reported a 9% increase in revenue to $12.1 billion and an 11% increase in half year profit before tax to $1.39 billion. The Jetstar business was a key driver of growth, reporting a 16% increase in revenue and a 35% jump in segment EBIT. In light of its strong performance, the Qantas board declared its first dividend since 2019. It will be paying shareholders total dividends of 26.4 cents per share (including a special dividend).
