• Medibank FY26 earnings: Profit and dividend rise

    Scientist looking at a laptop thinking about the share price performance.

    The Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) share price is in focus after unveiling its FY26 results, with underlying net profit after tax rising 2.9% to $636.8 million and the full-year dividend increasing 6.7% to 19.2 cents per share, fully franked.

    What did Medibank report?

    • Group revenue from external customers grew 5.9% to $9,115.2 million
    • Underlying NPAT rose 2.9% to $636.8 million
    • Full-year fully franked ordinary dividend lifted 6.7% to 19.2 cents per share
    • Group operating profit increased 6.7% to $813.5 million
    • Medibank Health segment profit up 31.3% to $100.7 million
    • Total claims paid of $6.9 billion, delivering around $299 million in customer value

    What else do investors need to know?

    Medibank added 22,100 net resident policyholders over the year, with its core Medibank brand showing improved growth momentum and ahm continuing to grow ahead of the market. Non-resident policy units fell 2.3%, mostly due to reduced student numbers amid tighter migration settings.

    The company maintained strong capital levels, with a Health Insurance required capital ratio of 13.3%—above its targeted range, partly due to APRA supervisory adjustments. Operating expenses rose 7.1% as Medibank invested in brand, technology, and customer rewards, but productivity savings of $10 million were achieved.

    What did Medibank management say?

    Medibank’s CEO, David Koczkar, commented:

    We continued to deliver value for the 6 million people who trust us with their health and wellbeing, as household budgets remain under pressure. Despite this, people continue to prioritise their health. Today’s result reflects the strength of the business, the trust our customers and patients have in us, and the progress we have made towards our 2030 ambitions.

    What’s next for Medibank?

    Looking ahead, Medibank expects FY27 resident health insurance gross margins to be broadly consistent with FY26, and continued solid growth from its non-resident and Medibank Health segments. The company will focus on disciplined market share growth, further investments in digital health, and integrating recent acquisitions.

    Management flagged robust appetite and financial capacity for further M&A to support Medibank’s long-term growth strategy and deliver value to shareholders.

    Medibank share price snapshot

    The Medibank share price has fallen short of the performance of the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past year with a decline of around 4%.

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

  • Cleanaway FY26: earnings rise, dividend up, takeover bid in play

    Man analysing data on his laptop.

    The Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX: CWY) share price is in focus today after the company reported a 13.5% rise in gross revenue to $4,371.3 million and a fully franked final dividend up 14.2% to 6.85 cents per share for FY26.

    What did Cleanaway Waste Management report?

    • Gross revenue lifted 13.5% to $4,371.3 million; net revenue up 13.1% to $3,736.7 million.
    • Underlying EBIT rose 14.2% to $470.2 million, with EBIT margin increasing to 12.6%.
    • Underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) up 13.6% to $223.1 million; statutory NPAT decreased 37.2% to $98.5 million due to significant items.
    • Free cash flow climbed 63.7% to $213.8 million.
    • Final fully franked dividend of 3.5 cents per share, taking the total FY26 dividend to 6.85 cents per share (up 14.2%).

    What else do investors need to know?

    Cleanaway’s FY26 result was powered by the strong performance of its Solid Waste Services segment and the integration of recent acquisitions, including Contract Resources and Citywide Waste. While the core business segments delivered growth, the company faced challenges in Health Services and Industrial Services, where lower earnings were offset by operational improvements and new recovery plans.

    During the year, Cleanaway announced a non-binding, indicative takeover proposal from EQT Infrastructure. The $3.13 per share bid, reduced by the final dividend, implies a significant premium to Cleanaway’s recent trading price, but is still subject to due diligence and a binding agreement. The board has indicated support for the proposal in the absence of a superior offer and a favourable expert opinion.

    What did Cleanaway Waste Management management say?

    Cleanaway CEO & Managing Director Mark Schubert said:

    FY26 was a demanding year for Cleanaway, but also one in which we delivered earnings growth, materially stronger free cash flow and improved returns. The strength of our core business remains clear. Solid Waste Services and Contract Resources performed strongly. Where we did not meet our expectations, the issues are concentrated in specific parts of the portfolio, we understand them and we are focused on improving performance.

    The opportunity from here is to generate more growth from the platform we already have. In FY27 our focus is on recurring customer growth, price, productivity and utilisation, so that more of our earnings growth is organic, predictable and sustainable.

    What’s next for Cleanaway Waste Management?

    Looking ahead to FY27, Cleanaway expects underlying EBIT to be between $500 million and $530 million. The company will focus on growing its Collections business, driving improvements in Environmental & Technical Solutions, and leveraging investments in technology and efficiency initiatives. Management is also targeting stronger free cash flow and margin expansion as part of “Blueprint 2030 2.0”.

    The outcome of the EQT Infrastructure proposal will be closely watched, as it could mean a significant change in ownership and deliver extra value to shareholders if completed.

    Cleanaway Waste Management share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, the Cleanaway Waste Management share price has underperformed the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) with a decline of around 8%.

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    The post Cleanaway FY26: earnings rise, dividend up, takeover bid in play appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Cleanaway Waste Management right now?

    Before you buy Cleanaway Waste Management shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Cleanaway Waste Management wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

  • Super Retail Group grows sales in FY26, dividend maintained amid growth plans

    Happy couple doing online shopping.

    The Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) share price is in focus today after the company reported a 3.2% rise in group sales to $4.2 billion and a 5.3% uplift in online sales for the year ended 27 June 2026.

    What did Super Retail Group report?

    • Group sales up 3.2% to $4.2 billion
    • Normalised net profit after tax (NPAT) down 2.8% to $226 million; statutory NPAT down 7.2% to $206 million
    • Statutory earnings per share of 91.2 cents; normalised EPS of 100 cents
    • Fully franked final dividend of 33 cents per share; total ordinary dividends for FY26 at 65 cents per share
    • Online sales up 5.3% to $552 million, now 13.1% of group sales
    • Net debt of $14 million, conservative balance sheet

    What else do investors need to know?

    Super Retail Group’s retail brands performed with mixed results. Rebel and Supercheap Auto delivered a strong top-line, while BCF faced softer trading, and Macpac’s sales momentum moderated in the fourth quarter due to mild winter conditions. The group opened 28 new stores and closed 13, expanding its physical footprint across brands.

    Operating costs grew on the back of network expansion, wage and occupancy inflation, and investment in technology, including a new payroll system and a new automated distribution centre in Victoria. Inventory levels increased due to new stores and tactical supply planning, with aged inventory within target range.

    What did Super Retail Group management say?

    Group Managing Director and CEO Paul Bradshaw said:

    Super Retail Group delivered a solid FY26 result, achieving record sales in the face of significant headwinds that included geopolitical instability in the Middle East, unfavourable weather and increasing interest rate pressure on households… While challenges in the broader retail landscape remain, I’m confident we have the team and strategy in place to meet evolving customer needs and deliver future growth.

    What’s next for Super Retail Group?

    Management has launched a new five-year strategy focused on growth and transformation, including further investment in technology and expansion of its store network. In the first seven weeks of FY27, total group sales are up 3.5% compared to the prior year, with strong starts from Supercheap Auto and BCF, though Macpac continues to be impacted by mild weather in Australia.

    The group expects to open a net 18 new stores in FY27 and plans further investment in network expansion and Project Ignite, its ongoing transformation program. Uncertainty remains, with external factors such as higher interest rates, fuel costs, and geopolitical tensions impacting consumer confidence.

    Super Retail Group share price snapshot

    The Super Retail Group share price has struggled over the past 12 months, losing around 25% of its value. This compares to a modest 1.5% gain by the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO).

    View Original Announcement

    The post Super Retail Group grows sales in FY26, dividend maintained amid growth plans appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Super Retail Group right now?

    Before you buy Super Retail Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Super Retail Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Super Retail Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Super Retail Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

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