Daily Roundup

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Resmed has released its fiscal year 2026 annual report, marking a year of strategic repositioning for the healthcare technology company. The company made two significant moves to sharpen its focus: acquiring Noctrix Health to bolster its sleep health offerings, while simultaneously divesting its MatrixCare business for $490 million. That sale is expected to close in Q1 of the new fiscal year. With 144.3 million shares outstanding, Resmed is positioning itself to concentrate on its core strengths in sleep, breathing, and connected home-based healthcare.

Baby Bunting is riding high on the back of a stellar year. The retailer reported record sales of $556 million, up 6.5%, with comparable store sales climbing 3.5%. What's particularly impressive is the margin expansion—gross profit jumped to 41.2%, and EBITDA margins expanded 140 basis points to 8.1%. Pro forma net profit after tax surged 33.9% to $16.1 million, buoyed by a strong cash conversion ratio of 96.4%. The company's Store of the Future refurbishment program is paying dividends, with refreshed locations delivering an average 18% sales uplift. Looking ahead, Baby Bunting is guiding for FY27 pro forma NPAT between $19 million and $21 million, with total sales projected between $585 million and $600 million. The company is eyeing comparable store sales growth of 3% to 5% and a gross margin of 42%.

QBE Insurance delivered solid half-year results that demonstrate the strength of its disciplined underwriting approach. Gross written premium grew 6% to $15.1 billion on a constant currency basis, while adjusted net profit after tax climbed 4% to $1.033 billion. The company's return on equity came in at 17.7%, comfortably exceeding its medium-term outlook of 15% or better. The combined operating ratio held steady at 92.8%, tracking toward the full-year target of around 92.5%. QBE also increased its interim dividend per share by 6% to 33 cents, maintaining a payout ratio of approximately 30%. The insurer's capital position remains robust, with a pro forma PCA multiple of 1.78x after dividend payments. Revenue from ordinary activities jumped 10% to $11.95 billion, while net investment income contributed $828 million at a 2.3% return.

Equus Energy has reached a major milestone with a binding conditional Gas Sales Agreement with Alcoa of Australia. Under the 10-year deal, Equus will supply approximately 50 terajoules per day—roughly 5% of Western Australia's domestic gas market—representing about 182 petajoules over the contract term. Beyond the commercial win of securing Alcoa as its foundation domestic gas customer, the agreement includes access to up to US$30 million in project funding. That capital will support Equus as it advances through Pre-FEED, FEED, and toward a Final Investment Decision, a critical step in commercializing the Equus Gas Project.

Motio Ltd reported mixed results for the year ended 30 June 2026. While revenue from continuing operations dipped 2% to $9.2 million, the bottom line tells a different story—profit after tax soared 1,796% to $2.2 million. Cash EBITDA climbed 31% to $2.5 million, signaling improving operational efficiency. Net tangible assets per security nearly doubled from 1.02 cents to 1.95 cents. The company has decided to forgo dividends for the year, presumably to reinvest earnings into growth initiatives.