Key Highlights

  • Macquarie Group reported 1H27 net profit of A$2,478 million, up 50% on 1H26, with an Interim Dividend of A$3.25 per share.
  • James Hardie recorded second-quarter net sales of US$1.428 billion from continuing operations, up 24%, and reaffirmed FY27 sales and adjusted EBITDA guidance.
  • News Corp reported September-quarter revenues of US$2,281 million and Net Income attributable to stockholders of US$159 million.
  • Each company reported on 5 or 6 November 2026 and outlined its own Capital and outlook commentary.

Macquarie Group (ASX:MQG), James Hardie Industries (ASX:JHX) and News Corporation (NASDAQ:NWS) each released financial results around 5 and 6 November 2026, covering a half year for the first two and a September quarter for the third.

Macquarie's Half-Year Profit Rises

Macquarie reported net profit after tax attributable to ordinary shareholders of A$2,478 million for the half year ended 30 September 2026. That is 50% above the prior corresponding period and 22% below the second half of FY26. Earnings Per Share were A$6.52, up 49%. Net Operating Income of A$9,568 million rose 10% year on year, while operating expenses of A$6,317 million rose 1%. Annualised Return on Equity was 13.8%, against 14.0% in FY26.

Commodities and Global Markets contributed A$2,034 million, up 83%, helped by client activity and trading opportunities. Macquarie Asset Management contributed A$1,509 million, up 28%, primarily reflecting the gain on sale of Macquarie AirFinance. Banking and Financial Services added A$841 million, up 6%, while Macquarie Capital fell 61% to A$278 million on the timing of asset realisations and lower mergers and acquisitions fees.

The Bank Group CET1 ratio was 12.9% and deposits rose to A$244.2 billion. The interim dividend of A$3.25 per share, 35% franked, compares with A$2.80 a year earlier and represents a 50% payout ratio; the Record Date is 12 November and payment is due 17 December. The result was the last announced by Shemara Wikramanayake before her retirement, with Greg Ward as CEO designate.

James Hardie Reports Higher Sales and Margins

James Hardie reported second-quarter net sales from continuing operations of US$1.428 billion, up 24%, with adjusted EBITDA of US$454.7 million and a Margin of 31.8%, up 450 basis points. Siding and Trim sales rose 15% to US$880.3 million, while Deck, Rail and Accessories sales rose 51% to US$387.0 million. Comparisons reflect the AZEK acquisition. Net income from continuing operations was US$149.8 million, compared with a loss of US$64.3 million a year earlier.

For the half year, net sales reached US$2,746.4 million, up 43%, and net profit attributable to shareholders was US$255.3 million. No dividend was declared. First-half free Cash Flow was US$535 million, US$111 million of term Loan Debt was repaid in the quarter, and the free cash flow target for FY27 was raised to more than US$650 million. Full-year net sales guidance of US$4.990 billion to US$5.133 billion and adjusted EBITDA guidance of US$1.446 billion to US$1.534 billion were reaffirmed. European operations are classified as discontinued pending a sale expected in calendar 2027.

For the third quarter, James Hardie guided to total net sales of US$1.058 billion to US$1.140 billion and adjusted EBITDA of US$298 million to US$320 million. Management said it remains on track to reach net Leverage below 2.0 times by the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2028, aided by expected proceeds from the Europe divestiture.

News Corp's September Quarter

News Corp reported revenues of US$2,281 million for the quarter ended 30 September 2026, up from US$2,144 million. Net income was US$215 million against US$150 million, and income attributable to stockholders was US$159 million, or US$0.29 per share, compared with US$112 million, or US$0.20. Total segment EBITDA was US$403 million, up from US$340 million.

Digital Real Estate Services Revenue rose to US$529 million with segment EBITDA of US$212 million, while Dow Jones revenue was US$630 million with EBITDA of US$160 million. Book Publishing revenue was US$582 million and News Media revenue was US$540 million. The company repurchased shares for US$166 million in the period and paid a semi-annual dividend of US$0.10 per share on 7 October.

Reading the Three Reports Together

The three reports differ in period and structure, but each shows year-on-year growth in headline earnings measures. Macquarie's quarterly pattern was uneven across divisions, James Hardie's comparisons are shaped by Acquisition timing, and News Corp's gains were led by digital real estate and Dow Jones.