Four ASX shares that are rising more than most today are listed below. Here's why they are climbing:

Cedar Woods Properties Ltd (ASX: CWP)

The Cedar Woods share price is up almost 5% to $5.87. This property developer's shares have been racing higher this week following the release of its quarterly update. Cedar Woods had a stronger than expected quarter, which has led to management upgrading its guidance for FY 2025. It has now lifted its net profit after tax guidance to 15% from a minimum of 10%. Looking further ahead, management advised that "further strong profit growth is anticipated in FY26, with the company having secured significant presales of the product expected to settle in that financial year." Bell Potter was impressed and responded by retaining its buy rating and increasing its price target to $7.30.

Healius Ltd (ASX: HLS)

The Healius share price is up 5% to $1.53. Investors have been buying this healthcare company's shares after it announced the completion of the sale of its Lumus Imaging business to Affinity Equity Partners. Healius has received cash proceeds of $822 million, which represents $965 million enterprise value adjusted for repayment of equipment leases and closing adjustments. In light of this sale, Healius intends to pay a fully franked special dividend of approximately $300 million or 41.3 cents per share. CEO Paul Anderson said: "The sale of Lumus resets Healius' balance sheet and allows the business to focus on executing our pathology strategy by providing better services for our patients and referrers. With the simplification of our operations, we will also be in a position to streamline the corporate cost base."

Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT)

The Nextdc share price is up 5% to $12.43. A number of data centre shares are rising strongly today. This is possibly due to the release of the quarterly update of US data centre giant Equinix (NASDAQ: EQIX). As well as releasing a strong set of numbers, it raised its guidance due to growing demand for AI-related services.

Platinum Asset Management Ltd (ASX: PTM)

The Platinum Asset Management share price is up 12% to 64 cents. Investors have been buying the fund manager's shares after it confirmed that it is in early-stage merger talks with L1 Capital. It is a private investment firm with global reach. The company's CEO, Jeff Peters, said: "L1 Capital is a first-class manager with a strong investment track record. The Potential Merger provides an attractive opportunity to combine expertise and resources, and we will continue to explore if it's in the best interests of Platinum shareholders."

The post Why Cedar Woods, Healius, NextDC, and Platinum shares are charging higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

There's been a steady stream of news from Vocus, most not so good. There's been management ructions, an evolving and more competitive telecommunications landscape, and a recent earnings downgrade. No wonder, the shares have suffered mightily.

Is Vocus a steal at these prices? Or is it a value trap?

According to the recently lowered guidance provided by the company, operating profit (EBITDA) at the mid-point of guidance is expected to be $370 million. On an Enterprise Value (EV) to EBITDA basis that's a forward multiple of 7.6. That's not cheap relative to other telecommunications players. Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX:TLS), based on consensus estimated for 2017 operating profits, is trading at a forward EV/EBITDA multiple of 6.5! Compatriot TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX:TPM) is on a forward EV/EBITDA multiple of 8.

I believe TPG's entry into mobile with its own spectrum and network will have a profound impact on the competitive environment. TPG can be expected to increase its share of mobile aggressively and might offer attractive broadband plus mobile bundles to win customers. If this scenario eventuates, it's going to pressure Vocus' consumer broadband and voice business.

Vocus' data centre business is also facing fierce competition from carrier and vendor neutral providers such as global giant Equinix, Inc. (NASDAQ:EQIX) and national player Nextdc (ASX:NXT).

In my view, Vocus' core fibre business where the company sells fibre connectivity as wholesale to other carriers or directly to enterprises is stable. The question, though, is whether or not the core business, which possibly has much higher margins compared to the rest of the segments, can lift earnings enough to bring Vocus back to growth.

I wouldn't be rushing to buy Vocus. It's not obviously cheap compared to competitors which, in my view have a better competitive position.

The post Is Vocus Communications A Bargain? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.