The Ventia Services Group Ltd (ASX: VNT) share price is in focus today after the company delivered higher profits and margins, with NPATA up 7.4% to $128.2 million, and an increased, now fully-franked, interim dividend.

What did Ventia Services Group Ltd report?

• NPATA rose 7.4% to $128.2 million
• EBITDA up 8.2% to $273.3 million; margin improved to 9.4%
• Revenue declined 4.7% to $2.9 billion
• Work in Hand increased 2.5% to $21.1 billion
• Operating cash flow conversion of 93.8%
• Interim dividend up 9.8% to 11.76 cents per share, now 100% franked
• On-market buyback program upsized to $300 million

What else do investors need to know?

Ventia saw growth in three of its four key sectors, despite a one-off contract change reducing Defence revenue. The company secured seven significant contract wins and renewals, together worth $1.6 billion, improving future revenue visibility.

Safety and sustainability remain priorities for Ventia, with a 17% improvement in Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate since HY22 and a 27.2% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions from the 2021 baseline. The ongoing share buyback has so far returned $185.8 million to shareholders and has now been upsized further.

What did Ventia Services Group Ltd management say?

Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer Dean Banks said:

Ventia delivered resilient performance in HY26, achieving margin expansion and earnings growth despite lower revenue growth in Defence. This reflects our focus on productivity and a proactive focus on continuous improvement across our portfolio.

“During the half, we secured seven material contracts worth $1.6 billion and achieved an exceptional 98% customer renewal rate, underscoring the strength of our customer relationships…The increase in dividend franking from 90% to 100% fully franked is sustainable and further enhances returns to shareholders and reflects the strength of our balance sheet and cash generation.

What’s next for Ventia Services Group Ltd?

The board and management offered a confident outlook, reaffirming underlying NPATA guidance for FY26 of 7–10% growth versus FY25. Ventia will continue focusing on essential infrastructure services and growth in areas like Defence, Digital Infrastructure, Energy, and Water, balancing sustainable shareholder returns with strategic investments.

There will be a management transition, with Mark Ralston set to step in as CEO from 1 September 2026 following Dean Banks’ resignation.

Ventia Services Group Ltd share price snapshot

The Ventia Services share price has underperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: VNT) slightly with a modest gain of almost 1% over the past 12 months.

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The post Ventia Services Group delivers higher profit and fully-franked dividend in HY26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Ventia wins $160 million Victorian ITS contracts, boosting infrastructure services

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.

The Reece Ltd (ASX: REH) share price is in focus after full-year FY26 sales revenue rose 4.5% to $9.38 billion, but net profit slipped 2.8% to $308 million.

What did Reece Ltd report?

• Sales revenue up 4.5% to $9,378 million
• EBITDA flat at $901 million
• EBIT down 2.6% to $534 million
• Net profit after tax (NPAT) down 2.8% to $308 million
• Final dividend of 13.40 cents per share, fully franked
• Return on capital up five basis points to 11.9%

What else do investors need to know?

Reece’s Australian and New Zealand business delivered renewed momentum, with sales up 8.3% to $4.2 billion thanks to recovering volumes and investment in team capability. This was partly offset by softer conditions in the US, where ongoing weakness in residential new construction pressured growth despite a network expansion to 25 new branches.

Investors should note net debt increased to $744 million, mainly due to continued network growth and share buyback funding. However, the company’s net leverage ratio remains conservative at 1.0x. Group capital expenditure was $174 million, supporting organic growth and digital transformation.

What did Reece Ltd management say?

Peter Wilson, Chairman & CEO, said:

FY26 was a year of improved momentum in our ANZ business as volumes recovered, while a weak residential housing market saw softer growth in the US. Throughout the year we focused on delivering our customer promise, progressing our innovation agenda and building out digital capabilities – all of which help us continue building a stronger business.

What’s next for Reece Ltd?

In FY27, Reece expects continued momentum in Australia and New Zealand, supported by a strong project pipeline. In the US, the outlook is more subdued as residential construction remains a tough market, while the non-residential sector has been more stable.

Interest rate sensitivity and housing affordability pressures may create ongoing challenges, but management is optimistic about the long-term market fundamentals and the group’s ability to lead on innovation, digital initiatives, and branch expansion.

Reece share price snapshot

The Reece share price has been among the best performers on the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past 12 months with a gain of around 40%.

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The post Reece FY26 earnings: Revenue up, profit edges lower appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Buy, hold, sell: SGH, Reece, Genesis Minerals shares

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.

Two major names in the consumer staples and discretionary sectors released full-year results late last week. 

Inghams Group Ltd (ASX: ING), which supplies poultry products, notably to major Australian supermarkets Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) and Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), and quick-service restaurants including McDonald’s and KFC, saw its share price sink 7% on Friday. 

On the positive side, fast/casual franchise Guzman y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) shares soared over 11% following its full-year announcement. 

Full results can be found here: 

• Inghams full-year results
• GYG full-year results

Following these results, the team at Bell Potter released updated guidance on both Inghams and GYG shares. 

Here is what the broker had to say. 

Inghams results in line with guidance 

Bell Potter said the company reported a FY26 underlying EBITDAL broadly in line with expectations and guidance at $186.4 million. 

However, Bell Potter sees pressure from wholesale and grain, with FY27 guidance of $190 to $220 million EBITDAL coming in below its $213.5 million estimate and broadly in line with consensus. 

The outlook assumes 2.5-4% volume growth, 4-5% general cost inflation excluding feed, and a further $40–50m increase in feed costs, highlighting ongoing cost pressures that are expected to constrain earnings growth in FY27.

Looking ahead, the broker sees little upside for Inghams shares over the next 12 months. 

The broker has a gold recommendation and $2.10 price target. 

Inghams shares closed last week trading at $2.06. 

GYG shares fairly priced

Bell Potter saw GYG’s FY26 result as broadly in line with expectations, with comparable sales growth of 5.3% and Australian underlying EBITDA of $85m, up 28.7% YoY and consistent with prior guidance. 

The key positive surprise was a much higher 48cps dividend, including a 14.4cps special dividend, supported by the exit from loss-making US operations, a lower share count following the buyback and a higher earnings base. 

GYG added 35 net stores during the year, in line with Australian guidance. 

For FY27, management expects comparable sales growth to remain in the mid-single digits and EBITDA margins to improve from 6.2% to 6.7-6.9%, driven largely by the full-year contribution from recently opened restaurants. 

Looking ahead, Bell Potter sees GYG shares as fairly priced after Friday’s 11% gain. 

The broker has a hold recommendation and $27.30 price target on GYG shares. 

While we think GYG is a clear leader in the QSR space after displaying strong comp sales growth, margin expansion, and further network growth opportunities, we see near-term cost headwinds and a consumer slow-down as a risk to FY27 guidance and view the current multiple as fairly valued. While we increase our PT ~11%, it is only a modest premium to the share price, so we downgrade to HOLD.

The post Are Inghams and GYG shares a buy, hold or sell following earnings results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• Why I’d still buy Guzman Y Gomez shares after its big rise
• Everything you need to know about the Guzman Y Gomez dividend
• Why Guzman Y Gomez, Pro Medicus and James Hardie shares are turning heads on Friday
• Inghams Group FY26 earnings: volume growth, headwinds, and FY27 outlook

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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.