Why AGL, Clover, QBE, & Volpara shares are pushing higher today

In late morning trade the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to end the week with a disappointing decline. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 0.5% to 6,713.7 points.

Four ASX shares that have not let that hold them back are listed below. Here’s why they are pushing higher:

The AGL share price is up over 1.5% to $9.60. This morning the energy company announced that it has finalised a new agreement to supply a proportion of the electricity requirement of the Portland Smelter aluminium smelter until July 2026. The agreement will take effect from 1 August 2021 when the existing supply contract ends. AGL advised that the new contract represents a mutually beneficial outcome on commercial terms, for a volume…