Origin Energy Ltd's stock price surged 5.24% during intraday trading on Thursday. The significant move followed the release of the company's first-half financial results.

The energy provider reported an underlying profit of AUD 593 million for the six months ended December 31, topping analyst estimates. The performance was driven by a 17% rise in operating earnings from its Energy Markets division, which benefited from increased electricity gross profit and lower costs.

Encouraged by these results, the company raised its full-year underlying EBITDA forecast for its Energy Markets unit to a range of AUD 1.55 billion to AUD 1.75 billion, up from previous guidance. The board also declared an interim dividend of 30 Australian cents per share, maintaining the payout from the prior year.