Latest Financial Services News

Australian Ethical Investment delivered record funds under management and a 29% rise in shareholder profit in FY26, despite weak performance from Australian equities and emerging companies. The ASX-listed ethical fund manager also increased its fully franked dividend and set out a growth plan centred on private markets, superannuation and technology.

ASX has immediately suspended trading in CommBank’s PERLS XIII capital notes, CBAPJ, pending their redemption. The notes are expected to be removed from quotation once CBA announces the redemption and lodges the required cessation notice.

Solaris Australian Equity Income Plus reported A$727,000 of inaugural net profit after tax and a flat portfolio return that beat its benchmark by 1.01 percentage points. The listed investment company also disclosed three fully franked monthly dividends, although one note contains an apparent inconsistency in the amounts.

L1 Global Long Short Fund has raised approximately A$100.9 million from institutional investors, with strong demand allowing L1 Group to place its A$70.1 million entitlement with new shareholders. Retail investors now face a 1-for-2 offer at A$1.76 a share, with up to A$381.7 million still available.

Savana US Small Caps Active ETF (ASX:SVNP) fell 7.65% in September, trailing the S&P SmallCap 600 by 4.92 percentage points as higher US bond yields and a concentrated AI rally split the market. The manager says its valuation discipline kept it away from the month’s strongest semiconductor performers, while highlighting a 52% gain from its Everforth investment.

Katana Capital will pay shareholders a special fully franked dividend of 5.0 cents per share after the September quarter, with the board pointing to a substantial franking balance as scope for future distributions. The payment is scheduled for 30 October 2026 and will not be eligible for reinvestment through the company’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

L1 Global Long Short Fund has launched a non-underwritten one-for-two entitlement offer at A$1.76 a share, targeting up to A$482.7 million for new investments. The raising follows a 19.4% portfolio return since L1 Capital became manager and comes with the familiar risk that shareholders who do not participate could be diluted.

Clime Capital delivered a sharply stronger FY26 result, with after-tax profit rising to $10.3 million and dividends maintained. But KPMG qualified its audit after failing to obtain sufficient evidence for $36.2 million of unlisted unit trust valuations and related income and fees.

Metrics Income Opportunities Trust has released its audited FY2026 accounts, correcting the classification of valuation reductions while reporting an $18.2 million loss and a lower NTA. KPMG issued an unqualified opinion, but ASX has yet to determine when MOT units will resume trading and underlying funds remain closed to applications and redemptions.

Metrics Master Income Trust has lodged its audited FY2026 accounts with an unqualified KPMG opinion, but the report confirms a temporary liquidity restriction at the underlying funds. Profit and net assets both fell year on year, while the Fund remains exposed to valuation movements in a largely Level 3 portfolio.

Steadfast Group has disclosed a notice from Pentwater Capital Management concerning equity derivatives under Takeovers Panel guidance. The filing does not reveal the position’s size, direction, counterparties or economic exposure, leaving its significance unresolved.

OFX Group is investigating unauthorised access to data involving some clients and people who have interacted with the company. The fintech says there is currently no evidence that client accounts, funds or services were affected, but the scope of the incident remains unclear.