The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having another positive session on Friday. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is up 0.5% to 8,665 points.
Four ASX shares that are rising more than most today are listed below. Here’s why they are pushing higher:
Appen Ltd (ASX: APX)
The Appen share price is up 11% to $1.25. Investors have been buying the artificial intelligence data services company’s shares following the release of an update at its annual general meeting. Appen has reaffirmed its FY 2026 guidance and continues to expect revenue of $270 million to $300 million. Management is also targeting an underlying EBITDA margin before FX of around 5% to 10%. Appen’s CEO, Ryan Kolln, said: “We continue to see positive signals on LLM-related growth from both Appen Global and Appen China customers. Tight cost controls remain in place, in keeping with our focus on managing costs in line with the revenue opportunity.”
Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG)
The Guzman Y Gomez share price is up 13% to $20.49. This follows news that the quick service restaurant operator has decided to close its struggling US stores. Guzman Y Gomez’s founder and co-CEO, Steven Marks, said: “I have always been confident in the differentiation of our food and guest experience, however this was not translating to an improvement in sales momentum. Having spent the last 3 months in the US, I realised this was going to take significantly more time and capital than we had expected. In assessing the trajectory of the current network, the Board and I have concluded that the business is unlikely to deliver the performance that would justify continued investment of shareholder capital.”
Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND)
The Monadelphous share price is up 2% to $29.97. This morning, this diversified services company announced that it has secured $120 million in new construction and maintenance contracts across the resources and renewable energy sectors. One is from Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) for the battery energy storage system (BESS) construction contract at the Cloudbreak mine.
PMET Resources (ASX: PMT)
The PMET Resources share price is up 5.5% to 69.7 cents. Investors have been buying this critical minerals exploration company’s shares after it announced the start of its major 2026 summer-fall exploration campaign at the Shaakichiuwaanaan Property in Canada. It notes that this campaign comprises approximately 45,000 metres of drilling. The Shaakichiuwaanaan Property is the company’s flagship asset and hosts one of the largest pegmatite mineral resources and mineral reserves in the world.
The post Why Appen, Guzman Y Gomez, Monadelphous, and PMET shares are racing higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
Should you invest $1,000 in Appen right now?
Before you buy Appen shares, consider this:
Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Appen wasn’t one of them.
The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…
* Returns as of 20 Feb 2026
.custom-cta-button p {
margin-bottom: 0 !important;
}
More reading
- Up 72% in a year, Monadelphous just scored another win
- 4 ASX 200 stocks rocketing higher this week
- 4 ASX shares scoring upgraded ratings this week
- Why is everyone talking about Guzman Y Gomez, Tuas and Appen shares on Friday?
- This ASX AI stock is surging 9% today after a wild month
Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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 Appen. 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.