Latest Financial Services News

Booster has secured a further $7.4 million capital commitment for the Booster Innovation Fund, taking total committed and allocated capital above $23 million. The funding announcement arrives alongside disclosure of civil proceedings by New Zealand’s Financial Markets Authority and a new independent director.

Australian Bond Exchange Holdings improved revenue, reduced its annual loss and sharply cut operating cash outflow in FY2026. Yet with only A$249,000 in cash, net liabilities of A$1.43 million and A$2 million of convertible notes maturing from April 2027, the turnaround remains financially fragile.

The Takeovers Panel has extended restrictions preventing Tenstar, Samuel Holdings, Benn Whistler and their associates from dealing in DGR Global shares without prior consent. The orders preserve the existing position while the Panel considers its final response to declared unacceptable circumstances.

Russell Investments Australian Responsible Investment ETF (ASX:RAR) reported a $304,000 loss for the year ended 30 June 2026, reversing a $69.892 million profit a year earlier. The fund still delivered a reported total return of 0.05% and lifted distributions to 168.11 cents per unit.

Liberty Group delivered a second consecutive year of profit growth in FY26 as record loan originations lifted financial assets to A$15.2 billion. The result supports a 15-cent fully franked special dividend, although credit provisions and cash flow remain important tests for the lending model.

GCQ Flagship Fund recorded a $449.8 million loss before finance costs for the year ended 30 June 2026, as its main ETF class fell 22.8% after fees. Net assets still climbed to $1.607 billion, supported by substantial unit-holder applications, while the newly listed hedged ETF also finished below its launch price.

Ellerston Asia Growth Fund Complex ETF (ASX: EAFZ) returned 38.4% after fees for the year ended 30 June 2026, beating its Asian equities benchmark by 2.6 percentage points. Profit more than doubled to $12.49 million, although the result was driven chiefly by investment revaluations and came alongside continued net redemptions.

Gowing Bros’ FY2026 loss widened to $3.49 million as Surf Hardware International remained deeply loss-making and investment properties were marked down by $3.0 million. The ASX-listed investment company kept its fully franked final dividend at 3 cents per share, despite negative operating cash flow and lower cash reserves.

Coolabah Active Global Bond Fund delivered net returns of up to 6.20% in the year to 30 June 2026, ahead of its global bond benchmark. The fund also added an ASX-traded ETF class shortly before year-end, while using repurchase agreements and derivatives as part of its strategy.

Macquarie Global Small Companies Fund reported a A$561,000 operating profit in its first financial period after launching three unit classes in June. The fund ended the period with A$11.757 million in net assets, although its short start-up period offers little basis for judging full-year performance.

Walter Scott Global Equity Fund’s operating profit fell to A$4.1 million in 2026 from A$349.5 million, while net assets dropped by about A$1.1 billion. The audited report points to weaker investment gains and substantial redemptions, although the fund remained fully invested in quoted equities and received an unmodified audit opinion.

Pengana International Equities has cancelled 151.1 million shares in a $183.28 million buy-back, leaving a much smaller listed investment company and three fewer directors. The reconstituted board will review capital options before deciding whether to pursue a future rights issue.