Why ANZ, CBA, Northern Star, and Origin Energy shares are charging higher today

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having another strong session on Thursday. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is up 0.5% to 9,061.8 points.

Four ASX shares that are rising more than most today are listed below. Here’s why they are charging higher:

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ)

The ANZ share price is up 8% to $40.41. Investors have been fighting to get hold of the banking giant’s shares following the release of its quarterly update. ANZ reported a first-quarter cash profit of $1.94 billion, which was up 75% on the second-half average of FY 2025. ANZ’s CEO, Nuno Matos, said: “The quarterly result highlights the early progress we are making in executing our ANZ 2030 strategy. Our productivity program aimed at removing duplication and simplifying the bank is well underway, delivering a significant reduction in expenses while growing revenue. There was an improvement across our key financial metrics, including the return on tangible equity which rose to 11.7% and cost to income ratio to below 50%.”

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

The CBA share price is up a further 5% to $177.90. Australia’s largest bank’s shares have been racing higher this week following the release of the banking giant’s half-year results. CBA posted a 6% increase in cash net profit to $5,445 million and lifted its interim dividend by 4% to $2.35 per share. CBA’s CEO, Matt Comyn, commented: “Economic growth strengthened during the half, driven by increases in consumer demand and rising investment in AI and energy infrastructure.”

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST)

The Northern Star share price is up 4% to $29.38. This follows the release of the gold miner’s half-year results. Northern Star revealed a 49% increase in underlying net profit after tax to $759.8 million. The company’s CEO, Stuart Tonkin, said: “This first half result demonstrates the resilience and growing returns we are embedding in our business, which allowed the Board to declare a 25cps interim dividend despite a soft operating performance. Our balance sheet remains in a net cash position notwithstanding the significant investments we are making to transform Northern Star into a lowest-half global cost producer.”

Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG)

The Origin Energy share price is up 4% to $11.54. Investors have been buying this energy giant’s shares following the release of its half-year results. Origin Energy reported an underlying profit of $593 million. While this was down from $924 million in the prior corresponding period, it appears to have been better than feared. In addition, management upgraded its Energy Markets full-year underlying EBITDA guidance.

The post Why ANZ, CBA, Northern Star, and Origin Energy shares are charging higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Up 92% since August, why is the Northern Star share price lifting off again today?
• That was fast! BHP relinquishes biggest ASX stock crown as CBA shares rocket
• Origin Energy posts $557m half-year profit and upgrades guidance

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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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.