Author: openjargon

The Vicinity Centres (ASX: VCX) share price is watch today after the shopping centre giant posted a statutory net profit of $1,391.2 million for FY26, with funds from operations rising to $700.1 million and annual distributions increasing to 12.40 cents per security.

What did Vicinity Centres report?

• Statutory net profit after tax rose to $1,391.2 million (up 38.5% from FY25).
• Funds from operations (FFO) were $700.1 million, a 3.9% increase on the prior year.
• FFO per security up 2.8% to 15.21 cents; AFFO per security up 3.6% to 13.04 cents.
• Annual distribution lifted 3.3% to 12.40 cents per security, with a payout ratio of 95.5% of AFFO.
• Net tangible assets rose 7.7% to $2.59 per security.
• Comparable net property income increased by 4.2%.

What else do investors need to know?

Vicinity Centres continued to reshape its portfolio during FY26, acquiring the remaining 75% interest in Brisbane’s Uptown for $212 million and DFO Eastern Creek in Sydney for $351 million. The group also divested non-strategic assets for $447.2 million, including Taigum Square, often at substantial premiums to book value. These moves have strengthened Vicinity’s premium asset weighting to 67% of its retail portfolio, reflecting a strategic pivot toward high-performing CBD and outlet centres.

Portfolio performance showed record leasing spreads (+4.2%) and occupancy of 99.6%, highlighting the strength in retail demand and a focus on differentiating asset quality. Gearing remains at the lower end of the target range (26.1%) after significant investment and asset recycling, with debt maturities well managed at a weighted average of 5.1 years.

What’s next for Vicinity Centres?

Looking ahead, Vicinity Centres is maintaining its focus on premium centre investments, mixed-use developments, and strategic tenant remixing. Major developments are progressing at Chatswood Chase in Sydney (which is now complete), Galleria in Perth (opening November 2026), and planning is underway to revitalise Uptown in Brisbane. Further expansion and repositioning at Chadstone and other flagship assets are also on track.

For FY27, guidance points to FFO of 16.0–16.2 cents per security and AFFO of 13.9–14.1 cents per security. The group expects comparable net property income growth around 3.5% and continued investment to support the evolving retail landscape.

Vicinity Centres share price snapshot

The Vicinity Centres share price has fallen short of the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past 12 months with a decline of 3%.

View Original Announcement

The post Vicinity Centres FY26: Profit up, distributions rise as premium focus delivers appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX 200 stocks smashing new 52-week-plus highs today

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 Downer EDI Ltd (ASX: DOW) share price is in focus today after the company reported a 51% jump in statutory net profit and a 17% lift in fully franked dividends for the 2026 financial year.

What did Downer EDI report?

• Statutory NPAT rose 51.2% to $225.4 million
• Underlying NPATA increased 9.8% to $306.7 million
• Underlying EBITA grew 6.1% to $502.9 million, with a margin uplift to 5.1%
• Overall revenue fell 7.5% to $9.74 billion
• Total fully franked dividend increased 17.3% to 29.2 cents per share
• Cash conversion remained strong at 91.1%, exceeding targets

What else do investors need to know?

Downer’s financial year emphasised improving margins by focusing on higher quality, more resilient contracts across core infrastructure and services. While revenue dipped due to portfolio simplification and foreign exchange impacts, profit and cash performance improved on the back of disciplined execution, cost control and project delivery.

Work-in-hand rose 10% to a record $38.5 billion, backed by solid new wins in defence, water, renewables, and government infrastructure. The company also continued its on-market share buy-back program, having repurchased approximately $96.5 million of shares by year end.

What did Downer EDI management say?

Peter Tompkins, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, said:

FY26 reflects the continued benefits of our focus on operational discipline, cost leadership, revenue quality and consistent execution.

Over the past three years, we have built a more focused and resilient business, improving margins, strengthening the balance sheet and enhancing the quality of our earnings.

What’s next for Downer EDI?

Looking to FY27, Downer is targeting further revenue and earnings growth and continued margin improvement. The company expects a stronger second half as new contracts ramp up and volumes improve in road services and facilities.

Management remains upbeat about the medium-term outlook, highlighting growth opportunities in energy transition, data centres, defence, and transport infrastructure. Downer aims to maintain strong market positions while delivering steady returns to shareholders.

Downer EDI share price snapshot

The Downer EDI share price has outperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past 12 months with a gain of around 7.5%.

View Original Announcement

The post Downer EDI posts stronger margin and profit in FY26 earnings appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Viridis Mining and Minerals secures US$120m equity to fund Colossus project
• Perpetual Equity Investment Company delivers FY26 profit and steady dividend
• Beacon Minerals posts 325% jump in Lady Ida reserves and outlines big 2026 plans
• Are Santos shares a buy following their half year results?
• WCM Global Growth earnings: Profit lifts dividend and outlook

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 MA Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MAF) share price is in focus after the company reported record first half underlying revenue of $230.1 million, up 41% on 1H25, and a strong 45% lift in underlying earnings per share (EPS) excluding large notable items.

What did MA Financial report?

• Underlying revenue rose 41% to $230.1 million (up 31% to $214.6 million excluding large notable items)
• Underlying NPAT (ex LNI) increased 59% to $35.9 million
• Underlying EBITDA (ex LNI) jumped 43% to $68.2 million
• Assets under management surged 44% to $15.5 billion
• Fully franked interim dividend lifted to 8 cents per share, up from 6 cents per share in 1H25
• Finsure managed loans climbed 25% to $193 billion and MA Money loan book soared 127% to $7.5 billion

What else do investors need to know?

MA Financial’s results showcased strong momentum across all divisions, with particular strength in Asset Management and Lending & Technology. Recurring revenue reached a record 72% of underlying revenue (ex LNI), improving the quality and predictability of earnings.

The company has already made a strong start to the second half, with accelerating fund inflows, new real estate and hospitality transactions, and MA Money’s loan book surpassing $8 billion post-balance date. Strategic investment in extending the platform into New Zealand has yielded early results, with New Zealand AUM crossing NZ$100 million.

What did MA Financial management say?

Joint CEOs Julian Biggins and Christopher Wyke said:

The Group’s performance in 1H26 demonstrates the scalability of our diversified business model. Delivering 45% underlying earnings growth during a period of significant market volatility and macroeconomic headwinds is a strong result. Our Assets under Management and Loan books continue to demonstrate good growth and transactional activity is rebounding from cyclical lows to benefit the business. We’ve had a very strong start to 2H26 and believe that the Group is in great shape to deliver strong earnings growth into the future. This is demonstrated by the release today of our new three-year strategic targets which we believe are achievable given the scalable business platform we now have in place.

What’s next for MA Financial?

Looking ahead, MA Financial is targeting further growth across all business segments, underpinned by its updated three-year strategic targets to December 2029. Management expects underlying EPS excluding notable items to be materially higher in FY26 compared to FY25, with earnings skewed to the second half.

The group is aiming for continued growth in funds under management, lending, and corporate advisory fees, with plans to expand distribution capabilities in the US and New Zealand and build further brand awareness. Management notes its EBITDA margin initiatives are on track, and the business is well positioned to create value for shareholders.

MA Financial share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, MA Financial shares have declined 27%, trailing the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO).

View Original Announcement

The post MA Financial delivers record 1H26 earnings and lifts dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 2 ASX shares near 52-week lows I’d buy today

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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 recommended Ma Financial 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.

The Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL) share price is in focus today after the company reported strong financial results for the year ended 30 June 2026, with revenue rising 13% to $10.87 billion and underlying net profit up 17% to $621 million.

What did Sonic Healthcare report?

• Revenue: $10,867 million, up 13% from FY2025
• Underlying EBITDA: $1,933 million, up 11%
• Underlying net profit after tax (NPAT): $621 million, up 17%
• Earnings per share: 125.6 cents, up 14%
• Total dividend: $1.08 per share (final dividend $0.63, franked to 60%)
• Strong organic revenue growth of 5%

What else do investors need to know?

Sonic Healthcare completed several strategic acquisitions during FY2026, including major German provider LADR and Cairo Diagnostics. The integration of these businesses is on track, with over 40% of expected synergies realised in year one for LADR. The company has also continued to sharpen its focus on advanced diagnostics, with standout growth in its genetics and specialist pathology businesses, both in Australia and internationally.

Management is investing in the digital and AI transformation of core systems. Around $30 million per year is earmarked over the next three years to modernise finance, supply chain and HR, supporting future productivity. Meanwhile, a $445 million sale and leaseback of its Brisbane hub laboratory strengthened Sonic Healthcare’s balance sheet and capital flexibility.

What’s next for Sonic Healthcare?

Looking ahead to FY2027, Sonic Healthcare expects continued organic growth across its major markets, underpinned by demand for personalised and preventative healthcare. The company has provided EBITDA guidance in the range of $1,950 million to $2,030 million (constant currency), excluding costs from its IT transformation program. Some earnings headwinds are anticipated from regulatory changes in Switzerland and a slower ramp-up of profit from its large UK NHS contract.

The group intends to continue progressing US operational improvements, realise further synergy benefits from its recent acquisitions, and optimise costs through automation and strategic procurement.

Sonic Healthcare share price snapshot

It has been a tough 12 months for the Sonic Healthcare share price. During this time, the company’s shares have underperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) with a decline of 18%.

View Original Announcement

The post Sonic Healthcare share price in focus on FY26 profit jump and digital push appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Buy, hold, sell: Sonic Healthcare, AMP, CBA shares
• 8 ASX 200 shares with fresh buy ratings this week
• Why this ASX healthcare stock is a top rebound candidate with big upside 
• How much superannuation is needed to target $8,000 per month in passive income?

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 recommended Sonic Healthcare. 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 Ridley Corporation Ltd (ASX: RIC) share price is in focus after the company reported underlying EBITDA jumped 61.8% to $157.8 million, and a 100% franked final dividend of 5.35 cents per share, for the year ended 30 June 2026.

What did Ridley report?

• Underlying EBITDA: $157.8 million, up 61.8% from $97.5 million in the prior corresponding period
• Underlying NPAT: $61.0 million, up 41.5% year on year
• Final dividend: 5.35 cps, fully franked (up from 5.00 cps in FY25)
• Operating cash flow: $122.4 million, up from $68.3 million last year
• Leverage: 0.85x (target range: 1–2x)
• Statutory NPAT: $27.6 million (after significant items)

What else do investors need to know?

Ridley completed the acquisition of Incitec Pivot Fertilisers during the year, driving a step-change in earnings and expanding its position in the Australian agricultural sector. The business now holds number one positions across fertilisers, bulk stockfeeds, and packaged feeds and ingredients.

Fertilisers contributed EBITDA of $72.2 million over nine months, meeting the higher end of expectations, while Bulk Stockfeeds and Packaged Feeds saw growth in volumes, though operational constraints temporarily affected ingredients performance.

The company maintained a solid balance sheet, with headline leverage below the 1–2x target, despite the fertiliser acquisition. Ridley’s cash generation improved, supporting a progressive dividend and ongoing investment.

What’s next for Ridley?

Ridley expects earnings growth from each division in FY27 as it continues integrating its fertilisers business, expands capacity in bulk stockfeeds, and aims for operational recovery in packaged feeds and ingredients.

Management intends to stick with its capital allocation framework and maintain a dividend payout between 50–70% of NPAT. Investment remains focused on efficiency, network upgrades, and pursuing disciplined growth opportunities. The company sees its diversified position providing resilience through changing agricultural cycles and external challenges.

Ridley share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Ridley shares have risen 3%, slightly outperforming the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Ridley: FY26 profit jumps on fertiliser boost appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• MA Financial delivers record 1H26 earnings and lifts dividend
• Sonic Healthcare share price in focus on FY26 profit jump and digital push
• IPH Ltd FY26 earnings: resilient profit growth and higher dividend
• 2 ASX shares tipped to grow 40% or more in the next 12 months
• Have these ASX 200 shares now fallen too far to ignore the value?

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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 IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH) share price is in focus after the company reported a resilient FY26 result, with net profit after tax rising 16.9% to $80.4 million and total dividends up 5.5% to 38.5 cents per share.

What did IPH Limited report?

• Revenue rose 0.6% to $710.4 million
• Net profit after tax increased 16.9% to $80.4 million
• Underlying EBITDA of $205.9 million, down 0.6%
• Final dividend of 19.5 cents per share (30% franked), total FY26 dividend 38.5 cps
• Net tangible asset per share of $(0.94)
• Share buy-back: 5.4 million shares repurchased for $18.7 million

What else do investors need to know?

During the year, IPH continued to execute its strategy of organic growth, disciplined cost control, and investment in technology— including a stronger push into AI and digital platforms. The integration of Pizzeys and Applied Marks into Griffith Hack from 1 July 2026 is set to enhance service capability and scale for Australian clients.

IPH’s international diversification helped balance market challenges, with Canada delivering strong growth despite some delays in the Canadian Intellectual Property Office system, and Asia returning to revenue growth on a constant currency basis. The Australia/New Zealand segment remained soft due to lower US-originated patent work.

What did IPH Ltd management say?

IPH’s outgoing CEO and Managing Director, Dr Andrew Blattman, said:

As I reflect on my final year as Managing Director and CEO of IPH, I do so with a strong sense of pride in the business we have built together. It has been a remarkable journey from our origins as a single firm in Australia to the leading intellectual property services group we are today, operating across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Canada and serving clients around the world.

What’s next for IPH Ltd?

Looking to FY27, IPH plans to focus on operational improvement and technology investment, including greater adoption of AI tools to improve efficiency and enhance service delivery. The group is also updating its dividend payout policy to a 70–90% range of statutory EPSA, offering more flexibility for future dividends.

Future strategy continues to emphasise strengthening international client relationships, growing work referred from the US, Europe, China, Japan and Korea, and supporting staff development across its global network. Management is confident IPH’s diversified revenue base and international reach position it well for long-term, sustainable growth.

IPH Ltd share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, the IPH share price has underperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) with a decline of 25%.

View Original Announcement

The post IPH Ltd FY26 earnings: resilient profit growth and higher dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much passive income can I earn off my $730,000 superannuation balance?
• How much passive income could I earn from a $500,000 superannuation balance?
• Rotating into dividend shares? 3 of your best options right now with yields as high as 9%
• 2 ASX dividend shares I’d buy for passive income right now
• How much superannuation is needed to target a $100,000 annual passive income?

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 recommended IPH Ltd. 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.

Experts are always on the lookout for potential ASX share investment opportunities. With recent volatility, there may be some very undervalued stocks out there.

We’re going to look at two ideas that are positively rated by analysts and could deliver significant returns within the next year.

Projections are not guaranteed returns, of course, but the below names could be ones to watch closely because they could achieve strong double-digit capital growth in the year ahead.

Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO)

Judo is a bank that focuses on providing loans to small and medium enterprises (SME), with a significant portion of funding coming from term deposits from self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs), individuals and businesses.

The business recently reported its FY26 result, which included a number of positives.

Gross loans and advances (GLA) grew 18% to $14.7 billion and deposits rose 24% to $12.2 billion.

The net interest margin (NIM), a measure of its loan profitability in percentage terms, saw an improvement of 20 basis points (0.20%) to 3.13%.

Impressively, the cost-to-income ratio improved by a whopping 710 basis points (7.10%) to 45.3% thanks to ongoing operating leverage.

Despite some high-profile loan impairments, the company was still able to report statutory net profit growth of 29% to $111.1 million and profit before tax growth of 34% to $168.1 million.

In FY27, the ASX share is expecting a broadly stable NIM, stronger-than-the-market loan growth, continued improvement of the cost-to-income ratio and profit before tax growth of between 25% to 31% to a range of $210 million to $220 million.

According to CMC Invest, there have been eight ratings on the business within the last three months. The average price target from those eight analysts is $1.47, implying a possible rise of around 45% over the next year.

Aeris Resources Ltd (ASX: AIS)

Aeris Resources is another ASX share with positive analyst views on the business.

It’s an ASX mining share that produces copper, gold and silver. It said that its copper and gold production for FY27 will be broadly similar to FY26, though silver production is expected to reduce.

However, growth capital expenditure is expected to be significantly higher due to construction and waste stripping at the Constellation project. Exploration spending will also ramp up in FY27 – it could as much as double – with significant drilling programs.

I think the ASX share is exposed to promising long-term tailwinds for both copper and gold. Copper has demand tailwinds such as regular economic growth (such as house building and city expansion), growth of electricity grids, data centres, AI and so on.

According to CMC Invest, there have been six ratings on the business within the last three months. The average price target is 67 cents, suggesting a possible rise of 63% over the next year.

The post 2 ASX shares tipped to grow 40% or more in the next 12 months appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How high will Judo Capital shares go? Brokers have their say
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Brokers tip these 3 ASX shares to climb another 50% to 66%
• 2 ASX 200 bank stocks making BIG moves today on results
• Judo Capital reports FY26 earnings and upbeat outlook

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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.

Value investors aim to generate capital gains by identifying ASX 200 (or smaller) stocks that are trading below their intrinsic value. 

By focusing on companies whose market prices do not fully reflect their underlying fundamentals, value investors seek to purchase assets at a discount and benefit as the market gradually recognises their true worth. 

This approach relies on fundamental analysis, patience, and the belief that market prices can diverge from a company’s intrinsic value in the short term.

Right now, there are two glaring examples amongst ASX 200 stocks that could have fallen far beyond fair value. 

For investors seeking to cash in on quality stocks trading at a value, here are two prime candidates to consider. 

JB Hi Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH)

This ASX 200 stock was making headlines this week when it experienced its worst single day loss on record. 

The retailer delivered record sales, higher profit and a much larger dividend, however investors ran for the hills as its share price tumbled over 12%. 

It seems investors were less concerned with the previous financial year results, and more concerned with slowing growth. 

The team at Morgans is less concerned however. 

In a comment out of the broker this week, it said it expects these headwinds to ease. 

JBH reported a broadly in-line FY26 result, with NPAT up ~3%. However, sales growth slowed in the 4Q, including turning negative in JB Hi-Fi Australia. The July trading update was below market expectations, with 3 out of 4 divisions reporting negative comparable sales growth, and tracking below 1H27 consensus. This was impacted by price increases, supplier stock shortages, weaker consumer backdrop and cycling a strong pcp. We expect some of these headwinds to ease as the year progresses, although the macro trading environment remains choppy.

The broker has a $82 price target on this ASX 200 stock, indicating a 16% upside. 

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN)

Another ASX 200 retailer that presents a strong value play is Harvey Norman. 

It has been hit hard by several headwinds over the last 6 months, including an ASIC enquiry. 

However it may now have been oversold. 

The first attractive aspect of this ASX 200 stock is its dividend yield fetching over 6%. 

Secondly, brokers now see it as a value play with plenty of upside. 

At the time of writing, this ASX 200 stock is trading at roughly $4.60 per share. 

A recent target from Bell Potter of $6 per share indicates an upside potential of 30%. 

While our views on FY27e sees challenging conditions for retailers with a recovery weighted to 2H, on our revised estimates HVN continues to trade at a 1-year forward P/E of ~13x (as per BPe) which appears attractive.

The post Have these ASX 200 shares now fallen too far to ignore the value? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: ANZ Bank, Iress, and JB Hi-Fi shares
• Why the JB Hi-Fi share price just suffered its worst day on record
• These ASX 200 shares could generate $10,000 per year in passive income
• Buy, hold, sell: Endeavour, JB Hi-Fi, and New Hope shares 
• Why I’d buy JB Hi-Fi shares today after its big fall

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 positions in and has recommended Harvey Norman. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The SkyCity Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SKC) share price is in focus after the company reported underlying revenue of $822.7 million, nearly flat year on year, and underlying NPAT dropping to $38 million.

What did SkyCity Entertainment Group report?

• Underlying revenue: $822.7 million, down 0.3% on FY25
• Underlying EBITDA: $181.6 million, down 22.3%
• Underlying NPAT: $38 million, down 46.9%
• Reported NPAT: $18.2 million, down 37.6%
• Net debt: $591 million (net debt/EBITDA of 3.1x)
• No final dividend declared for FY26

What else do investors need to know?

SkyCity completed the sale of two Auckland properties for $74.5 million, with settlement due in September 2026. This forms part of an asset monetisation program expected to deliver up to $300 million in gross proceeds by December, with proceeds earmarked for debt reduction.

The NZICC opened in February 2026 and hosted 141 events in its first months, attracting around 100,000 visitors. A strong events pipeline is in place for FY27, with a projected 350,000 visitations.

A cost-out program is underway, expected to deliver $30 million in annual benefits in FY27 and $70 million by FY28. The program includes a restructure and operational reset, affecting predominantly New Zealand-based corporate roles.

What did SkyCity Entertainment Group management say?

Jason Walbridge, Chief Executive Officer, said:

In FY26, we implemented carded play across our New Zealand casinos, opened the NZICC, advanced our asset monetisation, exceeded our cost-out targets, continued preparing for the regulated New Zealand online gambling market, and settled in principle the outstanding major regulatory issues in Adelaide.

What’s next for SkyCity Entertainment Group?

No earnings guidance has been provided for FY27 given continuing macro uncertainty. However, the company expects $30 million in cost savings for the year ahead, partly offset by higher online costs as the New Zealand regulated online casino market opens in 2027. Capital expenditure is forecast between $80 million and $100 million, excluding potential online licence costs.

Management is focused on completing asset sales, lowering net debt, and delivering its cost-out and digital priorities. When positive cash flow returns, the company intends to reinstate dividends to shareholders.

SkyCity Entertainment Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, the SkyCity Entertainment Group share price has underperformed both the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) and the wider travel and leisure sector, reflecting earnings pressure and regulatory challenges.

View Original Announcement

The post SkyCity shares on watch as FY26 profit falls but cost-out strategy advances appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• MA Financial delivers record 1H26 earnings and lifts dividend
• Sonic Healthcare share price in focus on FY26 profit jump and digital push
• Ridley: FY26 profit jumps on fertiliser boost
• IPH Ltd FY26 earnings: resilient profit growth and higher dividend
• 2 ASX shares tipped to grow 40% or more in the next 12 months

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 Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI) share price is in focus after the company reported a 12.9% rise in revenue to $376.1 million for FY26, with underlying NPAT up 16.3% to $40.5 million.

What did Universal Store report?

• Revenue of $376.1 million, up 12.9% from FY25
• Underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) of $40.5 million, up 16.3%
• Statutory NPAT of $18.2 million, down 21.6% due to non-cash impairments
• Gross margin of 62.5%, up 1.4 percentage points
• Underlying EBIT of $64.0 million, up 17.2%
• Final fully franked dividend of 17 cents per share (FY total dividends: 43.0 cps)

What else do investors need to know?

The group opened 13 new stores in FY26, ending the year with 123 physical locations across its Universal Store, Perfect Stranger, and THRILLS banners. Like-for-like growth was robust in Universal Store (+8.1%) and Perfect Stranger (+13.0%), though CTC (THRILLS) wholesale sales declined further, leading to $23.8 million in non-cash impairments.

Online sales rose 10.8% to $49.2 million, making up 13.1% of total revenue. Universal Store Holdings finished the year with a strong cash balance of $23.3 million and no bank debt, maintaining significant headroom on all covenants.

What’s next for Universal Store?

Universal Store plans to continue expanding its retail footprint, especially for Universal Store and Perfect Stranger, with a similar pace of store rollouts expected in FY27. The THRILLS retail and online strategy will remain a priority as the business focuses more on direct-to-customer channels.

Investments in digital, supply chain, and team capability will continue as the group aims for sustainable long-term growth. The board has also flagged upcoming changes in leadership, with George Do set to take over as CEO in November 2026.

Universal Store share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Universal Store shares have declined 21%, trailing the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Universal Store FY26 results: Sales, profit up as store rollout continues appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 2 ASX shares with dividend yields above 8%
• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $12,000 monthly passive income?
• I’d buy 11,295 shares of this ASX stock to aim for $400 a month of passive income
• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $80,000 annual passive income?
• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $7,000 monthly passive income?

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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 recommended Universal Store. 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.