Key Highlights

  • Eagers Automotive Limited (ASX:APE) shares go ex-dividend on 4 September 2026, ahead of the interim Dividend payment on 18 September 2026.
  • The Board approved a record fully franked Interim Dividend of 25.0 cents per share, up from 24.0 cents in the prior corresponding period.
  • Half-year Revenue reached a record $8.1 billion, an increase of $1.6 billion, or 24.0 per cent, on the first half of 2025.
  • Available Liquidity increased to $2,610.9 million at 30 June 2026, up from $1,787.9 million at 31 December 2025.

Eagers Automotive Limited, trading on the ASX under the code APE, will move to ex-dividend status on 4 September 2026. Investors purchasing shares on or after this date will not be entitled to the declared interim dividend for the half year ended 30 June 2026. The Board approved payment of a record ordinary interim fully Franked Dividend of 25.0 cents per share, an increase from 24.0 cents per share in the first half of 2025, with payment scheduled for 18 September 2026.

Record Revenue and Profit Performance

For the six months ended 30 June 2026, Eagers Automotive reported record half-year revenue of $8.1 billion, representing an increase of $1.6 billion, or 24.0 per cent, compared with the first half of 2025. This included a two-month contribution from CanadaOne Auto of $1.0 billion, alongside growth of approximately $500 million, or 8.0 per cent, across the Australian and New Zealand operations.

Record half-year Underlying Operating Profit Before Tax was $250.4 million, up from $197.7 million in the prior corresponding period. Of this, the CanadaOne Auto contribution over its first two months of ownership was $43.2 million, while Australia and New Zealand delivered growth of $9.5 million, or 4.8 per cent. Statutory Profit Before Tax for the half increased 25.7 per cent to $243.1 million.

The Group's Underlying Return on Sales Margin was 3.1 per cent, up from 3.0 per cent in the first half of 2025. Eagers also reported a record 15.9 per cent share of the Australian new vehicle market during the period, alongside what the company described as a record first-half performance in its independent pre-owned vehicle business.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

Available liquidity, comprising cash on hand and undrawn commitments under corporate Debt facilities across both Australia and Canada, increased to $2,610.9 million at 30 June 2026, up from $1,787.9 million at 31 December 2025. Cash on hand stood at $1,165.2 million at period end, while corporate debt net of cash rose to $674.9 million from $100.0 million at 31 December 2025, reflecting the funding associated with the CanadaOne Auto transaction.

The gearing ratio increased to 0.72 times at 30 June 2026, compared with 0.18 times at 31 December 2025. The owned property portfolio grew to $1,623.3 million from $899.9 million over the same period, which the company attributed in part to the addition of CanadaOne Auto's property holdings, with total property Equity of $624.5 million.

Divisional and Regional Contribution

Australia and New Zealand operations generated revenue of $7.0 billion for the half, an increase of 8.0 per cent, with Underlying Operating Profit Before Tax of $207.2 million, up 4.8 per cent. The Canadian operations, comprising the CanadaOne Auto Business following its acquisition, contributed revenue of $1.0 billion and Underlying Operating Profit Before Tax of $43.2 million during their initial two months within the Group. Return on Sales for the Canadian segment was reported at 4.2 per cent, compared with 3.0 per cent for the Australia and New Zealand segment.

Management Commentary and Second-Half Focus

CEO Keith Thornton said the result was delivered against a backdrop of economic headwinds, elevated interest rates and an automotive retail industry undergoing structural transformation. He noted that the completion of the CanadaOne Auto Partnership Investment on 30 April 2026 represented a material step-change for the Group, with two months of results now included in the half-year figures.

Looking to the second half, the company outlined plans to continue optimising its partner portfolio, secure a full six-month contribution from CanadaOne Auto, and scale its independent pre-owned business, easyauto123. Management also pointed to ongoing integration of recent investments, including Grand Motors Group and Karmo, as part of its broader growth strategy across the Australian and North American markets.

Conclusion

Eagers Automotive's first-half 2026 result was characterised by record revenue and profit figures, aided by the initial contribution from the CanadaOne Auto Acquisition and continued growth across its Australian and New Zealand operations. The record fully franked interim dividend of 25.0 cents per share, which goes ex-dividend on 4 September 2026, follows a period in which liquidity strengthened materially even as gearing increased in connection with the Canadian acquisition.