** Shares of WAM Capital Ltd WAM.AX rise as much as 1.9% to A$1.645, marking their highest level since April 15, 2024

** Investment co reports HY NPAT of A$149.8 million ($94.55 million), up 40.6% from last year

** Stock on track for best week since August 30, if gains hold

** About 1.4 million shares change hands, 2.1 times the 30-day average of shares

** Stock up 3.2% this year, as of last close

($1 = 1.5843 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Jasmeen Ara Shaikh in Bengaluru)

((Jasmeenaraislam.shaikh@thomsonreuters.com))