3 ASX shares that just reported 30%+ profit jumps

It was a strong half for these three players.

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Earnings season has just finished, and several ASX shares have posted profit growth of more than 30% in their half-yearly accounts.

Each of Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG), Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN), and Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) all reported bumper earnings growth in the first half of FY25.

What does this mean for the remainder of FY25? Let's dive in and see.

Group of successful real estate agents standing in building and looking at tablet.

Image source: Getty Images

ASX shares post double-digit growth

The first ASX share to clean up at the bottom line this earnings season was IAG. The insurance giant reported a 91% increase in net profit for the first half, hitting $778 million.

As reported by my colleague James, this was largely due to higher insurance margins and investment returns.

Meanwhile, insurance profits were up 56% year over year, producing a reported margin of more than 19%.

CEO Nick Hawkins highlighted that cost-cutting efforts and better claims management helped drive profitability.

Despite the reported growth, IAG shares have sunk in the weeks following its first-half update. They are down from a high of $8.92 to trade at $7.77 at the time of writing.

Still, brokers are bullish on the ASX share, with the consensus of analyst estimates rating it a buy, according to CommSec.

This is made up of seven buys, five holds, and 1 sell recommendation on the stock. Notably, this composition has remained unchanged over the past three months.

IAG is up 25% in the past year.

Resources deliver the goods

It wasn't just financials companies on the list of ASX shares growing profits in the first half.

Evolution Mining reported a 277% jump in net profit, reaching $365 million in its first-half FY25 results.

The gold producer benefited from soaring prices of the yellow metal in H1. As reported by my colleague Tristan, this saw it book a "sector-leading" all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of $1,475 to $1,575 per ounce.

Pre-tax earnings growth of 77% was also 10% ahead of Goldman Sachs' internal estimates.

The broker expects the ASX share to trade on "near-term" free cash flow (FCF) yields of 6 to 10%. This implies that investors receive 6 to 10 cents in FCF for every dollar of market value.

Consensus estimates project the miner to pay dividends of 11.2 cents per share this year, up 60% year over year if correct.

Meanwhile, oil and gas producer Beach Energy's first-half results showed net profits rising 37% year over year.

Beach Energy booked $237 million at the bottom line, leading to a 50% jump in dividends to 3 cents per share.

In other words, for every 1% growth in profit, Beach rewarded shareholders with a 1.35% growth in dividends.

Growth was underscored by a 15% rise in production, driven by new gas projects and increased demand for Australian LNG exports.

Management expects to produce 18.5 to 20.5 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBoe) for the year.

According to Trading View, the consensus analyst price target on the stock is $1.51.

Beach Energy last traded at $1.36 apiece.

Foolish takeaway

These 3 ASX shares each posted at least 30% profit growth in H1 FY25. Two of them produced multiples of that.

But we don't get paid for what's already happened. These companies still have a lot of work to do to impress investors. Time will tell what happens next.

Motley Fool contributor Zach Bristow has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Financial Shares

Worried woman calculating domestic bills.
Mergers & Acquisitions

Challenger jumps 4%, Pepper Money sinks as takeover collapses

Bid rejected, premium gone. Here's why one stock fell while the other rallied

Read more »

A woman in a red dress holding up a red graph.
Financial Shares

Which ASX financial stock could deliver 30% upside?

A recent share price dip could signal an opportunity.

Read more »

A senior couple discusses a share trade they are making on a laptop computer.
Financial Shares

Are these battered ASX financials stocks finally bouncing back?

Is it time to buy low?

Read more »

A man surrounded by huge piles of paper looks through a magnifying glass at his computer screen.
Financial Shares

2 beaten-down ASX financial stocks worth a closer look

Falling share prices, rising fundamentals. Are these financials mispriced?

Read more »

Businesswoman holds hand out to shake.
Financial Shares

How high does Macquarie think this ASX 200 stock will go after its wealth sale?

This financial stock is a bargain, if the team at Macquarie are right.

Read more »

A shocked man holding some documents in the living room.
Financial Shares

IAG shares jump 12%: Buy, sell or hold?

Here's what the experts are tipping next.

Read more »

Worried woman calculating domestic bills.
Financial Shares

Pepper Money shares plunge 10% after Challenger slashes takeover offer

The revised proposal comes just over a month after the original takeover approach sparked a strong rally in Pepper’s share…

Read more »

Red buy button on an Apple keyboard with a finger on it.
Broker Notes

3 reasons to buy QBE shares today

A leading analyst expects QBE shares to outperform. Let’s see why.

Read more »