Latest Consumer Discretionary News

Temple & Webster delivered record FY26 revenue of $664.6 million and lifted underlying EBITDA by 28%, despite a sharp fall in statutory profit after tax. The online retailer is targeting EBITDA of $33 million to $40 million in FY27 as improved margins, exclusive products and adjacent categories do more of the heavy lifting.

WCM Quality Global Growth Fund delivered a positive 16.87% return for the year, although it lagged its global benchmark and reported sharply lower distributions. Its longer-term record remains ahead of the benchmark, leaving investors weighing recent relative weakness against a new income-focused policy.

Marlin Global’s portfolio fell 6.3% before fees and tax in FY26 while its benchmark gained 30.5%, producing a NZ$17.3 million net loss. The Fisher Funds-managed vehicle is responding with broader sector coverage, faster portfolio turnover and an expanded research team.

Nick Scali delivered a sharp recovery in FY26 earnings, with net profit rising 31.2% to $75.7 million as gross margins widened and the UK loss narrowed. The furniture retailer is entering FY27 with a larger showroom network, a new distribution centre and four further ANZ openings planned.

Michael Hill International has returned to profit growth and restored its dividend after a year of sharper execution, brand simplification and stronger cash generation. Record revenue and a 57% rise in comparable EBIT mark a meaningful recovery, although the reset remains unfinished.

Globe International increased FY2026 EBIT and net profit despite almost no revenue growth, as a tighter brand portfolio improved margins across all three regions. The ASX-listed group also lifted its fully franked annual dividend to 23 cents per share and ended the year with A$26.7 million in cash.

WAM Global’s portfolio earnings grew 18% in FY2026, but valuation compression and currency losses left the investment portfolio down about 4.2% in Australian-dollar terms. The listed investment company declared a 13.2 cents per share fully franked full-year dividend, backed by a stated 5.2 years of dividend coverage.

Regal Asian Investments delivered a 3.2% net portfolio return in August, lifting its 12-month performance to 36.4% despite continued volatility across Asian equities. The listed investment company’s shares ended the month at a 14.3% discount to post-tax NTA, while its buy-back and fully franked dividend continued.

Marlin Global delivered a 3.0% gross performance return in August, beating its benchmark as software holdings rebounded sharply. The Fisher Funds-managed portfolio is also preparing to exit some investments and add businesses in three sectors.

Merino & Co. Limited has secured $1.01 million through a placement of 10.1 million shares at a slight premium, aiming to fund its new lifestyle sub-brand YÙE and the innovative YÙE+U botanical dye initiative.

Acorn Capital Investment Fund Limited posted a 35% drop in profit after tax to $6.25 million for FY2026, while its portfolio outperformed the Small Ords benchmark with a 9.8% return. The company declared fully franked dividends of 3.5 cents per share.

WAM Research’s FY2026 investment portfolio dropped 18%, dragging the company to a $28 million net loss. Despite underperformance, the LIC sustains its 10 cents per share dividend, backed by strong reserves and franking credits.