Stocks making the biggest moves at noon: Telix, Mesoblast, Uranium and more

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

City Chic Collective (ASX: CCX) – Shares in the plus-size women's apparel retailer rallied 19.7% after the company released a trading update for the first half of FY25. During this period, group revenue fell 3.6% year-on-year to $69.5 million, while underlying EBITDA is estimated to be $3–4 million (compared to a 1H24 loss of $4.4 million)."The ANZ business continued its turnaround from 2H FY24, delivering a pleasing holiday trading period. Stores and the online business performed above the Group’s expectations," the company said in a statement.

The Star Entertainment (ASX: SGR) – Shares in the embattled casino operator rallied 12% after a mysterious Macau businessman emerged as a major shareholder. The disclosure revealed that Wang Xing Chun holds a 5.5% stake. According to the AFR, his name matches that of a Macau businessman connected with "a Hong Kong-listed coal group and, more than a decade ago, described as one of the richest men in China."

Telix Pharmaceuticals (ASX: TLX) – The biotech stock gained 3.4% after releasing preliminary Q4 earnings, with quarterly revenue rising 46% to $218 million. In the same update, Telix upgraded its full-year guidance, now expecting $783 million compared to prior guidance of $745–776 million (a 2.95% increase at the midpoint) and market forecasts of $771 million (a 1.5% beat).

MA Financial Group (ASX: MAF) – Shares edged 1.5% higher after sources told The Australian that the company planned to raise approximately $300 million for a listed private credit trust.

New Hope Corp (ASX: NHC) –Shares in the coal miner rose 1.8% after the company agreed to terms for the dismissal of the Oakey Coal Action Alliance (OCAA) appeal against its New Acland Stage 3 associated water license. In May 2023, the OCAA challenged the Queensland Government's decision to grant the licence and sought to protect the groundwater relied on by Darling Downs farmers. The appeal has now been dropped, allowing the company to progress its operational ramp-up without further delay.

Uranium miners including Peninsula Energy (+7.1%), Elevate Uranium (+5.5%), Boss Energy (+4.4%), Bannerman Energy (+3.3%) and Paladin Energy (+1.7%) are pushing higher. The catalyst remains unclear.

Iron ore miners including Champion Iron (+2.3%), Fenix Resources (+1.8%), Fortescue (+1.4%) and BHP (+0.5%) are bouncing amid an uptick in iron ore prices, up 0.5% to $99.55 a tonne.

Mesoblast (ASX: MSB) – Shares fell 6.9% after the company completed a private placement, raising $260 million at $2.50 per share, representing a 10.8% discount to its last close on Thursday, January 9. The global private placement was primarily to Mesoblast's existing US, UK and Australia shareholders.

Premier Investments (ASX: PMV) –Shares fell another 4.6% following a 15.9% selloff on Monday. The company reported its preliminary first-half FY25 results, which came in well below market expectations. In response to the update, UBS cut its target price from $36 to $30 and retained a Neutral rating.

• Total global sales to be in the range of $855-865 million or 3% below consensus of $886 million

• Australian sales were broadly flat year-on-year

• Premier Retail's underlying EBIT to be in the range of $160-165 million or a 20% miss at the midpoint vs. consensus $203 million