The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having a poor session on Wednesday. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is down 0.4% to 8,635.4 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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Arafura Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: ARU)
The Arafura Rare Earths share price is up 11% to 36.75 cents. This morning, this rare earths developer announced a binding offtake term sheet with Traxys North America. This will see Arafura supply 500 tonnes per annum of NdPr oxide from the Nolans project. Arafura's managing director, Darryl Cuzzubbo, said: "We have long believed that the right partners would define the quality and durability of Arafura. The offtake relationships we have established are not just transactional arrangements. They reflect growing alignment between industry participants and government-supported initiatives aimed at establishing resilient critical minerals ecosystems as an imperative, not merely an opportunity."
Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL)
The Aristocrat Leisure share price is up 12% to $51.51. This morning, the gaming technology company released its half-year results and revealed normalised revenue of $3.03 billion. This was up 6.4% in constant currency. Normalised EBITA increased 6.2% to $1.12 billion, or 14% in constant currency. Another positive is that the company has increased its on-market share buy-back program by $1 billion (up to $2.5 billion in aggregate) and extended it through to 12 May 2027. Aristocrat's CEO and managing director, Trevor Croker, said: "Aristocrat delivered a strong first half, with clear progress across the business and market share gains in key segments. Our earnings growth reflects disciplined execution, strong revenue momentum throughout our portfolio, and a continued focus on efficiency and extracting operating leverage."
BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)
The BHP share price is up a further 3% to $61.78. This follows yet another strong rise in the copper price overnight, taking the base metal to a record high. In other news, this morning BHP announced the appointment of Mark Vassella as a non-executive director. Vassella has over 40 years' experience in the global steel industry and materials value chain. He was the CEO and managing director of BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL) from January 2018 to January 2026.
Perenti Ltd (ASX: PRN)
The Perenti share price is up 7% to $2.17. This morning, the mining services company announced that its Barminco business has been awarded an $850 million four-year contract by Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL). The company's CEO, Mark Norwell, said: "This contract award reinforces Barminco as a global leader in underground mining, further strengthening Barminco's underground mining portfolio and earnings in Australia."
