** Shares of Australia's Aspen Group APZ.AX rise as much as 3% to A$5.56, their highest level since January 28

** The retirement home operator posts HY underlying EBITDA of A$26.3 million ($25.3 million), up 29% from pcp

** Co logs HY revenue of A$70 million, up 37% from pcp

** Adds, declares interim distribution of 5.5 Australian cents apiece

** Co expects FY26 underlying EBITDA of A$53.3 million, up from A$41.4 million in FY25

** Despite moves, stock down 4% YTD

($1 = 1.4160 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Aamir Sheik Khalid in Bengaluru)

((Aamir.SheikKhalid@thomsonreuters.com))