Key Highlights

  • Nick Scali Limited (ASX:NCK) shares rose 4.82% to $12.61 at 12:04 pm during the trading session on 23 October 2026.
  • In its 21 October 2026 trading update, the company guided to underlying 1H FY27 net profit after tax of $28 million to $32 million.
  • UK written sales orders for the first quarter were 29% above the prior corresponding period, while ANZ orders were 15% below.

Nick Scali Limited (ASX:NCK) shares rose 4.82% to $12.61 during the trading session on 23 October 2026, as at 12:04 pm, while the S&P/ASX 200 stood at 8,762.60, down 0.35% (30.60 points). The company is a furniture retailer headquartered in North Ryde, New South Wales, with operations in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. In a trading update and first-half FY27 profit guidance dated 21 October 2026, it reported lower written sales orders in Australia and New Zealand, higher orders in the UK, and a range for underlying net profit after tax for the six months ending 31 December 2026.

Australia and New Zealand Orders and Store Traffic

In its announcement dated 21 October 2026, Nick Scali said trading conditions in Australia and New Zealand remained challenging during the first quarter of FY27. Written sales orders were 15% below the prior corresponding period, and store traffic was approximately 10% lower. This compares with written sales order growth of 11% in the first quarter of FY26.

The company also referred to a cyber security incident in August, during which its ERP systems were unavailable for approximately three weeks. Stores continued to trade, with sales orders processed manually.

On revenue, Nick Scali stated that ANZ revenue for the first half is expected to be approximately 11% to 14% below the prior corresponding period. Two new ANZ stores opened in July and two more are expected in late December.

United Kingdom Written Sales Orders

The 21 October 2026 update described the UK business as continuing to improve. Written sales orders for the first quarter were 29% above the prior corresponding period, and like-for-like written sales orders increased 14%.

The company said the gap between total and like-for-like growth reflects, in part, stores temporarily shut for refurbishment in the prior corresponding period. One new UK store is expected to open in late December.

First-Half FY27 Profit Guidance

In the same announcement dated 21 October 2026, the company provided guidance based on trading to date and the current order bank. It expects underlying Group net profit after tax for the six months ending 31 December 2026 to be in the range of $28 million to $32 million.

Underlying net profit excludes approximately $980,000 of direct costs for consultants and legal advisers related to the cyber security incident, which will be disclosed as non-underlying items. The company said it remains focused on gross margins, cost management, store network expansion and UK performance.

About the Company and Business Overview

Nick Scali Limited (ASX: NCK) is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and has its registered address at Level 7, Triniti 2, 39 Delhi Road, North Ryde, New South Wales. The group trades as a furniture retailer through its Nick Scali store network, with operations across Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Its update reports by geography, with Australia and New Zealand presented together and the United Kingdom as a separate business. Anthony Scali is Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer.

Related Sector Context

Nick Scali operates in furniture retail, part of the consumer discretionary sector. Furniture purchases are typically large, infrequent household decisions, so retailers often track written sales orders and store traffic.

Against this backdrop, the S&P/ASX 200 stood at 8,762.60 at 12:04 pm on 23 October 2026, down 0.35%, while Nick Scali shares moved higher by 4.82% at $12.61. Individual retailers can differ from the index depending on company-specific developments.

Risks to Weigh In

The update itself points to several uncertainties. Australia and New Zealand written sales orders were 15% below the prior corresponding period and store traffic was approximately 10% lower, and the company expects first-half ANZ revenue to be 11% to 14% below the prior period.

The cyber security incident is another factor: ERP systems were unavailable for about three weeks, and approximately $980,000 of direct costs has been identified as a non-underlying item.

The profit guidance is a range of $28 million to $32 million based on trading to date and the current order bank, so the result depends on trading through to 31 December 2026. New store openings also carry uncertainties of timing and trading outcomes.

Catalysts on Watch

Several dated items are referenced in the update. Two new ANZ stores and one new UK store are expected to open in late December 2026. The six months ending 31 December 2026 form the guidance period, and the cyber incident costs will be disclosed separately in the financial results.

Where Things Stand

At 12:04 pm on 23 October 2026, Nick Scali shares were at $12.61, up 4.82%, with the S&P/ASX 200 down 0.35%. The update dated 21 October 2026 set out ANZ written sales orders 15% below the prior corresponding period, UK written sales orders 29% above it, and guidance for underlying first-half net profit after tax of $28 million to $32 million.