• EBITDAaL up 4.9% to $4.2 billion
• EBIT up 9.2% to $2.0 billion
• Profit for the period up 8.1% to $1.2 billion

Telstra Group Limited reported a strong financial performance for the first half of the 2026 financial year. Revenue (excluding finance income) increased by 0.3% to $11,641 million, while total income (excluding finance income) grew by 0.2% to $11,845 million. Operating expenses decreased by 2.1% to $7,405 million, leading to a 4.7% increase in EBITDA to $4,449 million. EBITDA after leases (EBITDAaL) increased by 4.9% to $4,162 million, and EBIT grew by 9.2% to $2,016 million. Profit for the period attributable to equity holders of Telstra Entity increased by 9.4% to $1,124 million, and earnings per share (basic) rose by 11.2% to 9.9 cents. The company's return on invested capital (ROIC) improved by 0.8 percentage points to 8.8%. The Board of Directors resolved to pay a partially franked interim dividend of 10.5 cents per ordinary share, an increase of 10.5% on a cash basis from the previous corresponding period. The company also announced an increase in its on-market share buy-back from up to $1 billion to up to $1.25 billion, to be conducted during the 2026 financial year.

The company's Connected Future 30 strategy aims to deliver mid-single digit growth in cash earnings.

Telstra remains confident in its financial strength and outlook, as evidenced by the increased interim dividend and expanded on-market share buy-back program.