Stocks making the biggest moves at noon: Ansell, Car Group, JB Hi-Fi and more

These are the ASX companies and sectors making headlines in afternoon trade.

Mayne Pharma (ASX: MYX) – Shares rallied 18.6% after the company's 1H25 earnings guidance topped market expectations, notably:

• Revenues are expected to be between $210 million and $215 million, reflecting 12-14% growth and ahead of $198.5 million estimates (7.0% beat)

• Underlying EBITDA between $30-32 million, representing growth of 275-300% and well-above $21.6 million estimates (43% beat)

Star Entertainment (ASX: SGR) – Shares rallied 15.9% after the company confirmed several confidential, indicative and non-binding proposals to acquire its 50% interest in the Queens Wharf Brisbane complex.

Ainsworth Game Technology (ASX: AGI) – Shares gained 10.7% after the Financial Review reported that the company recently held informal talks with its largest shareholder, Novomatic. Sources told AFR that while discussions have taken place, there is no indication that Novomatic has made a formal offer to acquire the remaining 47.6% of Ainsworth.

Ansell (ASX: ANN) – Shares surged 7.1% to hit a record $37 after the company reported a strong set of 1H25 results. The numbers broadly beat market expectations, on top of a full-year guidance upgrade. Key highlights include:

• Revenue up 30% to $1.02 billion vs. US$913 million consensus (12% beat)

• Net profit after tax up 57% to US$81 million vs. US$77 million consensus (6% beat)

• Earnings per share up 36% to 55.7 US cents vs. 51.2 US cents consensus (9% beat)

• Interim dividend of 22.2 US cents per share vs. 20.7 US cents consensus (7% beat)

• Upgraded FY25 guidance to underlying EPS of 118-128 cents per share (previously 107-127 cents)

GQG Partners (ASX: GQG) – Shares edged 1.7% higher after the asset management firm reported $160.4 billion in funds under management for the month ended January 2025. This represents a 4.8% increase compared to the prior month.

Car Group (ASX: CAR) – Shares dipped 7.5% after the company reported a broad miss for 1H25 and downgraded its FY25 outlook from "good" to "solid." Key highlights from the result include:

• Proforma revenue up 9.0% to $548 million vs. $562.2 million consensus (2.5% miss)

• Proforma EBITDA up 8.9% to $302 million vs. $307.7 million consensus (1.8% miss)

• Adjsuted NPAT up 8.8% to $177 million vs. $181.9 million consensus (2.7% miss)

• Interim dividend up 20.3% to 38.5 cents per share, in-line with market expectations

• Outlook commentary lowered its growth expectations from "good" to "solid" for North America due to a delay in price increases

Wisetech Global (ASX: WTC) – Shares fell 3.8% after the Australian Financial Review reported that a former employee and a contractor had lodged serious complaints with the WiseTech board via their lawyers, with a third complaint sent directly to former CEO Richard White. The company acknowledged the media reports, confirming that the two confidential complaints related to Mr. White are under review as part of an ongoing Board investigation

Pilbara Minerals (ASX: PLS) – Shares eased 1.1% after the company provided a mixed earnings update.

• 1H25 underlying EBITDA to be between $71-75 million but statutory EBITDA between $45-49 million

  • Unclear how this compares to $60 million consensus

• 1H25 underlying net loss between $5-7 million and statutory loss between $68-71 million

• The loss reflects a non-cash reduction of approximately $16 million in the carrying value of its call option to increase its stake in the PLSS joint venture, along with a share of JV losses of $22 million and $24 million in plant construction costs

JB Hi-Fi (ASX: JBH) – Shares initially rallied by as much as 5.5% but quickly slipped back to breakeven within the first hour of trading, now down 2.5%. The company reported a strong performance across key metrics, including revenue, NPAT, and dividends. However, softer-than-expected margins and a record high share price may be limiting further gains. Key highlights from the result include:

• Sales up 9.8% to $5.67 billion vs. $5.52 billion consensus (2.6% beat)

• Gross margins of 21.8% vs. UBS estimates of 22.2% (180 bp miss)

• EBIT up 8.6% to $419.9 million vs. $409 million consensus (2.7% beat)

• NPAT up 8.0% to $285.4 million vs. $278.3 million consensus (2.5% beat)

• Interim dividend up 7.6% to 170 cents per share vs. 166.5 cents consensus (2.1% beat)