In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to record another solid gain. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is up 0.6% to 7,330.9 points.
Four ASX shares that are climbing more than most today are listed below. Here's why they are pushing higher:
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Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF)
The Challenger share price is up 6.5% to $6.73. Investors have been buying the annuities company's shares following the release of its half year results. Challenger reported a 21% increase in normalised net profit before tax to $238 million. This means the company is on track to achieve its FY 2022 normalised net profit before tax guidance of between $430 million and $480 million.
CSL Limited (ASX: CSL)
The CSL share price is up 4% to $274.49. This follows a positive response from brokers to the biotherapeutics company's half year results. For example, both Morgan Stanley and Ord Minnett upgraded the company's shares to overweight and accumulate ratings, respectively.
NRW Holdings Limited (ASX: NWH)
The NRW share price has jumped 14% to $1.97. This follows the release of the mining contractor's half year results. For the six months ended 31 December, NRW delivered a 26% increase in operating earnings to $74.6 million. This represents the high end of its guidance range. In light of this strong form, management has narrowed its full year guidance towards the top end of its previous range.
Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL)
The Woodside share price is up almost 5% to $27.87. This follows the release of the energy producer's full year results, which revealed the more than tripling of its profits in FY 2021. Thanks to a modest increase in sales volumes and a surge in realised prices per barrel, Woodside reported a 93% increase in operating revenue to US$6,962 million and a 262% jump in underlying net profit after tax to US$1,620 million.
