Daily Roundup

Aussie Broadband caps off transformational year with bumper dividend hike

Aussie Broadband has delivered a stellar FY26, posting a 9.2% revenue jump to nearly $1.3 billion while underlying EBITDA climbed to $165.3 million. The real headline, though? The company's rewarding shareholders with a 50% dividend increase to 6 cents per share, plus announcing a $115 million on-market share buyback.

The telco's growth came from organic expansion across all segments, bolstered by completing the largest NBN migration in history and snapping up strategic acquisitions including AGL Telco and More & Tangerine. These moves have set the company up nicely for the year ahead, with management guiding for FY27 underlying EBITDA between $205 million and $215 million.

Looking further out, Aussie Broadband reckons it's well-positioned to hit its upgraded targets through to 2028, with a diversified platform and multiple earnings drivers in the pipeline.

Road safety tech firm Acusensus lands massive ACT contract

Acusensus has secured a major win, inking a multi-year traffic enforcement contract with the ACT Government worth $63 million over the initial five years. If all options are exercised, the deal could balloon to $210 million over fifteen years.

The contract covers red-light, speed, and average speed enforcement across the territory, using the company's AI-enabled camera solutions. It's a significant validation of Acusensus's technology and opens the door for the company to expand its footprint in other Australian jurisdictions with similar arrangements.

Steadfast shareholders to vote on $1.8 billion takeover

The Supreme Court of New South Wales has given the green light for Steadfast Group to hold a Scheme Meeting, where shareholders will vote on the proposed acquisition by Starboard BidCo—an entity backed by Dragoneer Investment Group and KKR. The Scheme Booklet, complete with an Independent Expert's Report, will hit shareholders' mailboxes by 26 October. The Steadfast Board is recommending a yes vote, assuming no better offer materializes and the Independent Expert maintains their thumbs-up.

Kip McGrath takeover offer extended

Crimson Consulting has extended its offer period for Kip McGrath Education Centres through to 4 November 2026, maintaining the $0.75-per-share price tag as its final offer. The company has also sweetened the deal slightly by accelerating payment terms to just 10 business days, encouraging shareholders to lock in their acceptance sooner rather than later.

Gold miner Alkane Resources posts solid quarter

Alkane Resources delivered a respectable Q1 FY27, producing 40,740 ounces of gold equivalent at an all-in sustaining cost of $2,805 per ounce. The company banked $102 million in mine operating cash flow and closed the quarter with $440 million in cash and bullion on hand.

The miner's three operations—Tomingley, Bjorkdal, and Costerfield—all contributed to the quarter's output, with Tomingley leading the charge at 21,506 ounces of gold. Alkane also paid out its maiden fully franked dividend of 2 cents per share, a nice bonus for patient investors. For the full year, the company is guiding for 163-177 koz of gold equivalent at an AISC of $2,900-$3,200 per ounce, and management expects to keep firing on all cylinders as the year progresses.