Macquarie’s 1H Profit Falls, to Launch Up to A$2 Billion Buyback

SYDNEY—Macquarie Group’s first-half net profit fell by 39%, but the company said its strong capital position means it could soon begin buying back shares worth up to 2.0 billion Australian dollars (US$1.29 billion).

Macquarie, Australia’s biggest investment bank and asset manager, said its net profit for the six months through September fell to A$1.42 billion, from A$2.31 billion a year earlier.

Chief Executive Shemara Wikramanayake said Macquarie’s underlying client franchises were resilient amid less certain market conditions.

“Our annuity-style businesses saw growth in loan books, deposits and assets under management, but the first-half result was substantially down compared to a strong period of realizations in the prior corresponding period,” she said. “Our markets-facing businesses delivered solid performances despite lower market activity and volatility levels.”

Macquarie said its group capital surplus was A$10.5 billion at the end of September, down from A$12.6 billion at end-March. Still, the company said its financial position comfortably exceeded regulatory minimum requirements, allowing it to buy back shares worth up to A$2 billion.

Macquarie’s annuity-style activities contributed A$1.3 billion to first-half profit, although this down 43% on a year earlier. This reflected the timing of asset realizations in green investments in Macquarie Asset Management, which more than offset a positive result in Banking and Financial Services.

Markets-facing activities, which include most of its Commodities and Global Markets businesses, fell 32% on year to A$1.56 billion.

“The prior corresponding period featured a strong performance from commodities in CGM together with material asset realizations in Macquarie Capital,” said the company.

Directors declared an interim dividend of A$2.55 per share, lower than a payout of A$3.00 a share a year ago. Still, that beat under consensus forecasts compiled by FactSet, which projected Macquaries’s interim dividend would be A$2.42.

Macquarie’s net operating income of A$7.91 billion was down 8% on year, while operating expenses of A$5.92 billion rose by 6% on year.

International income accounted for 65% of Macquarie’s total income, the company said

Macquarie, which has a reputation among analysts for conservative forecasts, didn’t provide specific guidance.

Australian shares fell on Thursday as Wall Street weakness, rising oil and persistent rate concerns weighed on most of the market.

The S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.72 per cent to 8,702. The All Ordinaries lost 0.66 per cent to finish at 8,897. Mining stocks were hit particularly hard, while real estate also dragged on the index.

Energy was the notable exception, gaining more than one per cent as Brent crude traded above US$103 a barrel. Oil had moved higher amid uncertainty surrounding potential US diesel-export restrictions and broader geopolitical supply risks. The move supported energy producers but renewed concern about inflation inputs across transport and the wider economy.

Gold shares were weak even as spot bullion remained historically elevated. The All Ordinaries Gold index fell about 2.25 per cent, showing that equity performance can diverge from the commodity because of valuation, currency, operating and company-specific factors.

Zip was a prominent loser, falling 11.38 per cent after the company reported short sales after the previous close. Nine Entertainment also weakened after UBS analysts warned of near-term revenue challenges associated with its advertising-supported subscription tier.

Premier Investments led larger winners despite caution about the retail environment. Breville, in which Premier owns a significant stake, also appeared among leading movers. In the broader ASX 300 screen, Myer gained 11.43 per cent and MAAS Group rose 7.93 per cent, while Lotus Resources fell 10.53 per cent. These percentage moves should be checked against company announcements and trading liquidity before attributing causes.

The Australian dollar was broadly flat at US70.38 cents. Spot gold was around US$4,280 an ounce, Brent crude approximately US$103.08 a barrel and iron ore near US$96.90 a tonne late in the session.

The rate outlook remains the central domestic catalyst. Labour-market weakness has not eliminated the possibility of an RBA increase next week, leaving banks, listed property and other rate-sensitive sectors exposed to changing expectations.

Market dashboard

S&P/ASX 200: 8,702, down 0.72 per cent.

All Ordinaries: 8,897, down 0.66 per cent.

Best sector: Energy, up more than one per cent.

Weakest areas: Real estate and materials were the major drags; confirm final sector percentages before publication.

Material winner: Premier Investments led the large-company gainers. Confirm its final closing move from the ASX before publication.

Material loser: Zip, down 11.38 per cent.

ASX 300 percentage leader: Myer, up 11.43 per cent.

ASX 300 percentage laggard: Zip, down 11.38 per cent.

AUD/USD: Approximately US$0.7038, broadly flat.

Macquarie’s 1H Profit Falls, to Launch Up to A$2 Billion Buyback

Net profit for the six months through September fell to A$1.42 billion