Key Highlights

  • Total Transactional Value increased 4.1% to $4.0 billion on an underlying and continuing operations basis, while Revenue rose 8.1% to $208.5 million and revenue Margin improved to 5.1% from 4.9%.
  • Underlying EBITDA increased 8.4% to $60.2 million, with an EBITDA margin of 28.9%, though Underlying Profit after tax was down 0.5% to $30.2 million.
  • Statutory profit after income tax fell 96.0% to $1.3 million from continuing operations, driven by a $34.3 million Fair Value loss on the Group's holding of Webjet Group Limited shares, partly offset by a $20.3 million fair value gain on remeasurement of its initial 50% interest in MTA.
  • A final Dividend of 5.0 cents per share, fully franked, was declared, bringing total FY26 dividends to 10.0 cents per share, a Yield of 7.0% on the FY26 closing share price of $1.42.

Helloworld Travel Limited (ASX:HLO) has released its audited financial results for the year ended 30 June 2026. On an underlying and continuing operations basis, Total Transactional Value was $4.0 billion, up 4.1% on the prior corresponding period. Revenue was $208.5 million, up 8.1%, with revenue margin improving to 5.1% from 4.9% in the prior year.

Underlying EBITDA was $60.2 million, up 8.4% on the prior year, with an underlying EBITDA margin of 28.9%, compared with 28.8% in the prior year. Underlying profit after tax was $30.2 million, down 0.5% on the prior corresponding period. The Board declared a final dividend of 5.0 cents per share, fully franked, payable on 16 September 2026.

CEO and Managing Director Andrew Burnes said Helloworld delivered a performance in FY26 reflecting the resilience of its operations, though the events of the Middle East unfavourably impacted the June quarter and, consequently, the full year results. He said that in their absence, financial performance would have been considerably stronger, and that July 2026 TTV was in line with July 2025 while EBITDA for the month was up 8.8%.

Statutory Result and Fair Value Movements

Statutory profit before income tax from continuing operations was $10.2 million, down 77.6% on FY25, while statutory profit after income tax from continuing operations was $1.3 million, down 96.0%. The gap between underlying and statutory results was driven by several significant items during the year.

The Group recognised a fair value loss through profit and loss of $34.3 million from the Revaluation of its holding of Webjet Group Limited shares, compared with a $5.0 million gain in the prior year. This was partly offset by a fair value gain of $20.3 million recognised upon remeasurement to fair value of the Group's initial 50% interest in Mobile Travel Agents (MTA), following the October 2025 Acquisition of the remaining 50% interest in the network. Following the acquisition of Gilpin Corporate Travel during FY26, a fair value loss on consideration paid in a Business combination of $6.3 million was also recognised, as the purchase price did not reflect fair value.

Depreciation and Amortisation increased $4.0 million to $17.7 million, primarily due to amortisation of identifiable intangible assets attributable to the MTA and Barlow Travel Group acquisitions. Finance expenses increased to $2.2 million from $0.8 million, reflecting interest paid on Debt drawn down during FY26 to fund acquisitions.

Strategic Acquisitions

During FY26, Helloworld Travel continued to strengthen its portfolio through strategic investments and acquisitions across Australia and New Zealand. In October 2025, the Group acquired the remaining 50% interest in Mobile Travel Agents, which today comprises 450 home-based advisors, having originally acquired a 50% interest in 2016. In New Zealand, the Group expanded its corporate travel footprint through the acquisition of Auckland-based Gilpin Corporate Travel during FY26. The Group also acquired 40% of Brighton Travelworld and increased its ownership in Hunter Travel Group.

Business Segment Highlights

The Helloworld Wholesale division achieved TTV growth of 15.6% in Australia and 4.7% in New Zealand against the prior year, while wholesale cruise sales grew 12.3% across the company's dedicated cruise brands. The Inbound division facilitated travel for more than 65,000 international visitors during FY26, with growth in business from the UK, up 26%, and Germany, up 30%.

The Group held total cash of $84.8 million at 30 June 2026, compared with $79.4 million at 30 June 2025, including $33.0 million of restricted cash under IATA requirements. The company held 78,250,205 shares in Webjet Group Limited, valued at $32.1 million at 30 June 2026, equating to 20.29% of WJL's ordinary shares. The Group's external bank debt at 30 June 2026 was $35.0 million.

FY27 Outlook

Helloworld said strong forward bookings entering FY27 support confidence in its growth outlook, alongside a healthy pipeline of new member recruitment and retail expansion opportunities across Australia and New Zealand. The company said it remains well positioned to capture Demand following an easing of geopolitical tensions, noting previous experience indicating a recovery in leisure travel demand within 60 to 90 days of market stabilisation. The company anticipates providing formal guidance prior to its Annual General Meeting in October 2026.

Conclusion

Helloworld Travel's FY26 result shows growth in Total Transactional Value, revenue and underlying EBITDA despite disruption to international travel demand during the June quarter linked to the Middle East conflict. The substantial decline in statutory profit reflects non-cash fair value movements on the company's Webjet Group shareholding and its MTA acquisition rather than a deterioration in underlying trading, according to the company, which enters FY27 with strong forward bookings and a pipeline of network growth opportunities.