** Shares of Articore Group ATG.AX rise 16.7% to A$0.28, their highest level since December 10

** Online marketplace operator says 1HFY26 gross profit increased by 6% y/y to A$107.5 million ($71.81 million)

** Shares on track for best day since mid-October, if current gains hold

** About 387,450 shares change hands, 9.7x the 30-day average of 40,087; busiest session since November 12

** Stock fell 7.1% last year

($1 = 1.4970 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Jasmeen Ara Shaikh in Bengaluru)

((Jasmeenaraislam.Shaikh@thomsonreuters.com;))