** Shares of Freightways Group FRW.NZ rise 2.5% to NZ$14.08, their highest level since October 3

** The freight service provider posts 22.5% higher first-quarter net profit after tax at NZ$23.4 million ($13.42 million)

** Co posts first-quarter operating revenue of NZ$347.1 million, up 8.6% y-o-y

** Shares on track for best day since September 19, if gains hold

** Stock up 32.3%, YTD

($1 = 1.7443 New Zealand dollars)

(Reporting by Jasmeen Ara Shaikh in Bengaluru)

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