• EBITDA up 6.0% to $4.2 billion
• Profit for the period up 7.1% to $1.1 billion
• Earnings per share up 6.0% to 8.9 cents

Telstra Group Ltd has reported a strong set of financial results for the first half of FY2025, delivering a fourth consecutive year of first half underlying growth. Key highlights include:- EBITDA up 6.0% to $4.2 billion- Profit for the period up 7.1% to $1.1 billion- Earnings per share (EPS) - basic up 6.0% to 8.9 cents- Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) up 0.2 percentage points to 8.0%The company's FY2025 guidance remains unchanged, and Telstra is committed to increasing earnings, capital discipline, and portfolio management to further improve ROIC. On the back of earnings growth, the Board has resolved to pay a fully franked interim dividend of 9.5 cents per share, representing a 5.6% increase on the prior corresponding period. Telstra also announced an on-market share buy-back of up to $750 million, which supports earnings and dividend per share growth.The company's T25 strategy is on track, with progress made on key initiatives such as expanding mobile coverage to more than 3 million km2 with 99.7% Australian population coverage, achieving 91% 5G population coverage, and continuing to extend the intercity fibre network.Telstra has also reduced operating expenses through role reductions and productivity gains, with core fixed costs decreasing by 4.8% or $161 million. Cumulatively, the company has reduced its core fixed costs by $283 million since FY2022 and is on track to achieve its $350 million ambition by the end of FY2025.

Underlying EBITDA of $8.5 billion to $8.7 billion for FY2025. Business-as-usual capex of $3.2 billion to $3.4 billion, and strategic investment of $0.3 billion to $0.5 billion for FY2025. Free cashflow after lease payments (before strategic investment) of $3.0 billion to $3.4 billion for FY2025.

Telstra's T25 strategy is on track, including its growth ambitions in underlying EBITDA, EPS, and ROIC. The company remains focused on increasing earnings, capital discipline, and portfolio management to further improve ROIC.