ASX Stocks on the Move: Web Travel, EML Payments, Aussie Broadband, and More

Key Highlights:

• Web Travel Group (ASX: WEB) rallies 13.6% despite mixed earnings results.
• EML Payments (ASX: EML) surges 10.7% following a strong AGM update.
• Aussie Broadband (ASX: ABB) rises 3.6% on share buyback announcement.
• City Chic Collective (ASX: CCX) plunges 26% after reaffirming guidance.
• Mixed performance across major indices, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 0.64%.

The Australian stock market delivered an action-packed session today, with standout performances from travel and tech sectors offsetting dips in retail and energy. Here’s a deep dive into the day’s key movers and market trends.

Travel Stocks Lead the Way

Web Travel Group (ASX: WEB) was the star of the day, surging 13.6% after releasing its first-half FY25 results. While net profit after tax of $52.5 million fell short of analyst expectations (consensus: $75.7 million), the company’s robust FY25 EBITDA guidance of $117-122 million exceeded forecasts.

The market cheered total transaction volumes (TTV) growth of 25% to $2.59 billion, signaling resilience in consumer travel demand. Early trading in 2H25 also showed TTV up 23% with healthy margins of 6.5%, further boosting investor confidence.

Tech Momentum Continues

EML Payments (ASX: EML) extended its rally, climbing another 10.7% after a 29.2% surge on Tuesday. Positive sentiment stemmed from an upbeat AGM, where the company reported 1Q25 revenue growth of 12% to $48.8 million and a 46% rise in underlying EBITDA.

The management’s medium-term plan to lift EBITDA margins to 35% and target double-digit transaction revenue growth by FY27 resonated with investors, sparking a re-rating of the stock.

Mixed Results Across Other Key Sectors

Aussie Broadband (ASX: ABB) gained 3.6% after announcing an on-market share buyback of up to 10% of its issued capital. The initiative signals management’s confidence in the company’s financial health.

Retailer City Chic Collective (ASX: CCX) nosedived 26%, as investors reacted negatively to reaffirmed FY25 revenue guidance of $142-160 million, with gross margins up 11% but overall revenue down 4.8% compared to the prior period.

Novonix (ASX: NVX) fell 17% after completing a capital raise at a steep discount, raising $44.4 million to support production of battery-grade synthetic graphite.

Refiners, including Ampol and Viva Energy, were steady performers, posting gains of around 3-4%, supported by stable crude prices and resilient refining margins.

Broader Market Performance

The S&P/ASX 200 climbed 0.64%, closing at 8,413.2, while the All Ordinaries Index also gained 0.63%. Technology stocks led the charge, with the All Technology Index up 0.83%, driven by gains in EML Payments, Life360, and Qoria.

The ASX Small Ordinaries Index rose 0.85%, bolstered by Jervois Global (ASX: JRV), which rallied 10% after securing a US$24.5 million increase in its working capital facility.

Sector Insights

• Top Performers: Discretionary (+1.08%), Information Technology (+0.98%), Financials (+0.88%).
• Lagging Sectors: Materials (+0.31%), Energy (+0.30%), Health Care (+0.04%).

Global Market Context

Global markets provided a mixed backdrop:

• The Dow Jones rose 0.28% overnight, buoyed by optimism around soft landing prospects for the US economy.
• Commodities saw moderate gains, with gold up 0.65% to $2,638.40 per ounce and copper climbing 0.37% to $4.06 per pound.

What to Watch Tomorrow

• Updates from Novonix as it implements its capital raise funds.
• Continued momentum in tech and travel sectors as investors weigh medium-term growth prospects.
• Performance of retail stocks amid mixed consumer sentiment.

Today's session underscored the importance of sector-specific catalysts in driving market movements. With robust gains in travel and technology, the ASX demonstrated resilience despite headwinds in retail and energy. Investors will now look for sustained growth trends in the weeks ahead to close the year on a high note.