** Shares of HMC Capital HMC.AX rise 7.6% to A$10.64, their highest level since December 16

** HMC among top gainers in the ASX200 benchmark index .AXJO

** Diversified asset manager posts HY statutory profit after tax of A$166.9 million ($105.98 million), a sharp growth from A$17.8 million logged last year on the back of strong AUM growth and record investment returns

** AUM grew to A$18.5 billion as at December-end, up 45% from June-end

** Declares interim dividend of 6 Australian cents per share

** Says annualized FY25 pre-tax operating EPS tracking at 80 Australian cents

** Stock up 9.1% this year, including current session's moves

($1 = 1.5748 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Manasi Dasa Sundeep in Bengaluru)

((Manasi.DasaSundeep@thomsonreuters.com;))