UNPAT and Profitability Improvement
Underlying net profit after tax (UNPAT) increased ~6% to $132.1 million (1H FY26), with EBITDA up 6.5% to $238.2 million and reported NPAT recovering from a loss of $16.8 million to a profit of $78.8 million.
Revenue and FUMA Growth
Net revenue rose 1.8% to $718.2 million, supported by higher average FUMA/A of $339 billion (up $19 billion year-on-year, ~6% average FUMA growth) and positive market movement (+3.9% over the half).
Material Reduction in Below-the-Line Cash Costs
Below-the-line cash costs (UNPAT adjusted cash items) fell dramatically from $153 million in 1H FY25 to ~$15.9 million in 1H FY26, reflecting completion of separation projects and reclassification of project spend.
Base Operating Expense Decline
Base operating expenses declined ~6.4% (down $31 million) to $449.2 million, demonstrating disciplined cost-out execution despite inflationary pressure.
Improved Cost Efficiency Metrics
Group cost-to-income ratio improved to 63% from 68%, and group net revenue margin was 42 bps (noting margin decline vs prior period) while Master Trust cost-to-serve improved to 32 bps from 36 bps.
Strong Cash Flow Turnaround
Free cash flow turned positive to $52 million in 1H FY26 versus negative $239 million in 1H FY25, aided by lower transformation/remediation spend and a $51 million reduction in IFL corporate balance sheet RFR.
Advice Business Momentum
Advice saw revenue per adviser increase 15% year-on-year, net new client growth, strong adviser recognition (27 Shadforth advisers in Barron's top 150), and strategic acquisition of PMD Financial Advisers adding ~400 client families and >$700 million FUA.
Wrap & Platform Flows and Efficiency
Wrap (MLC Expand) recorded $3.3 billion of net inflows in 1H FY26; Wrap FUA scale remains >$110 billion, cost-to-serve reduced and EBITDA increased, supported by AI investments improving adviser back-office efficiency.
Asset Management Performance and Product Growth
Investment outcomes strong: 87% of multi-asset FUM outperformed benchmarks and MLC MySuper Growth is top quartile over 5 years; $5 billion net flows into multi-asset, Alternatives grown to $4 billion and managed accounts >$4 billion; private equity progress with Co-investment Fund IV close.
Brand Relaunch and Early Marketing Traction
MLC brand relaunch (A Lifetime in the Making) delivered early momentum: awareness +1 point, consideration +3 points and reputation steady at 70%; new direct-to-consumer offering and refreshed mlc.com launched.
Scheme Agreement with CC Capital
Entered scheme implementation deed with CC Capital at $4.80 per share (~$3.3 billion equity value), representing ~57% premium to undisturbed close on 11 Dec 2024; Board unanimously recommends the scheme.
Leverage and Funding Profile Simplification
Senior leverage at the half was ~0.9x net debt to EBITDA with closing FY26 leverage expected around ~1x, reflecting a much simpler funding profile as transformation spend concludes.