Australia's Iress tops benchmark index on upbeat annual outlook

** Shares of Iress IRE rise as much as 8.1% to A$9.37, their biggest intraday percentage gain since July 22

** Stock hits its highest level since Dec 3

** The financial software co sees FY24 adjusted EBITDA at top end of the A$126 mln ($80.26 mln) to A$132 mln range

** Sees its dividends to be reinstated in 2025

** About 600,000 shares change hands, compared with the 30-day average volume of about 570,000

** Stock biggest percentage gainer in the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 XJO index, which is down 0.6%

** Stock up 6.4% YTD, based on last close

($1 = 1.5699 Australian dollars)