Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN), ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) and Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) shares are attracting heightened investor interest on Friday.
Two of the large-cap ASX stocks are outperforming the 0.9% gains posted by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) as we head into the Friday lunch hour, while one is lagging that performance.
Here's why these companies are making headlines today.
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Coles shares gain on revenue growth
Coles shares are up 1.6% at time of writing, changing hands for $22.47 apiece.
Investors are bidding up the ASX 200 supermarket giant following the release of Cole's March quarter update (Q3 FY 2026).
Highlights for the 12 weeks to 29 March included a 3.1% year-on-year increase in revenue to $10.70 billion.
The company's eCommerce division was a standout performer, with eCommerce sales up 24.8% from Q3 FY 2025 to $1.33 billion.
"We delivered another strong sales result reflecting the strength of our customer offer and disciplined execution against our strategic priorities," CEO Leah Weckert said of the results helping lift Coles shares today.
Evolution Mining shares jump on increased gold reserves
Like Coles shares, Evolution Mining shares are also outperforming today.
Shares in the ASX 200 gold stock are trading for $12.15 each at time of writing, up 2.1%.
This follows the release of the Aussie gold miner's Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves Statement.
Evolution Mining reported that over the year its Mineral Resources have grown to 31 million ounces of gold and 4.2 million tonnes of copper. The miner's contained gold increased by 900,000 ounces, or 3%.
"This demonstrates the scale and longevity of our long-life, high-quality portfolio, complemented by our current expansion studies that offer further upside," Evolution Mining CEO Lawrie Conway.
Which brings us to…
ANZ shares slip despite cash profit surge
Joining Evolution Mining and Coles shares in the financial headlines today we have ANZ.
Shares in the ASX 200 bank stock are down 1.3% at time of writing, trading for $36.16 each.
That fall comes despite ANZ reporting some solid half year results this morning.
Over the six-month period, ANZ achieved a cash profit of $3.78 billion, up 70% from the prior half.
On the passive income front, ANZ declared an interim dividend of 83 cents per share, franked at 75%. That's in line with last year's interim dividend.
"Our transformation is running at pace, and we are making good progress in executing our five immediate priorities safely, sustainably, and on time," ANZ CEO Nuno Matos said.
