Latest Retail News

Contact Energy’s August operating report shows mass-market electricity and gas sales rising to 550GWh, while unit generation costs fell sharply to $40.90/MWh. Strong hydro storage and higher forward prices add support, although contracted wholesale sales remained broadly flat.

Vicinity Centres used its 2026 Capability Showcase to make the case for a more concentrated, premium retail portfolio, led by Chadstone and Chatswood Chase. The presentation also set out development returns, balance-sheet capacity and a sizeable residential option beside Chatswood Chase, although much of the value remains dependent on stabilisation, approvals and market conditions.

Vicinity Centres has positioned portfolio premiumisation and development execution as the engine of future growth, but its Chadstone case study also shows how quickly valuation assumptions can alter project returns. The company highlighted a potential residential expansion at Chatswood Chase alongside strong occupancy, modest gearing and a large development pipeline.

Alliance Aviation has completed the retail leg of its entitlement offer, raising $636,000 from just 10.6% of the shares available. The shortfall will be allotted to sub-underwriters, taking the company’s total capital raising to approximately $40 million.

PGG Wrightson delivered a sharp improvement in FY26 earnings, with Operating EBITDA up 15% to NZ$64.3 million and net profit rising 46% to NZ$15.6 million. The result supports a fully imputed 5.5 cents per share final dividend, although debt and GO-STOCK receivables have also expanded.

Meridian Energy’s generation rose 21.1% year on year in August as strong hydro and wind conditions pushed national storage to 155% of historical average. But average generation prices fell 62.3%, highlighting the tension between abundant supply and weaker market pricing.

L1 Gold Fund has completed its retail entitlement offer, taking its latest equity raising to approximately A$375.4 million. L1 Group has also subscribed for A$42 million through the remaining shortfall offer, while the final allocation remains open.

JB Hi-Fi delivered record FY2026 sales of $11.06 billion and lifted its fully franked ordinary dividend by 22.5% to 337 cents per share. The early FY2027 trading update was less assured, with Australian sales and The Good Guys declining in July as shoppers waited for promotions and technology supply remained constrained.

PM Capital Global Opportunities Fund has completed a $172 million share purchase plan, with all valid applications accepted in full. About 56 million new shares will be issued at $3.07 each and qualify for PGF’s upcoming fully franked dividend.

Bannerman Energy has completed a fully underwritten A$124 million institutional placement, giving the Etango uranium project a funding pathway through construction and ramp-up. The company now turns to a targeted Q4 2026 Final Investment Decision, while a further non-underwritten shareholder offer could raise up to A$10 million.

Eureka Group Holdings has secured $70.7 million from institutional investors to help fund its $123.8 million acquisition of six NSW communities. The remaining $9.5 million retail offer opens against a backdrop of upgraded FY27 earnings guidance, but also higher gearing and execution risk.

Eagers Automotive has signed a non-binding agreement to acquire a 50% interest in Zagame Automotive Group, gaining exposure to 14 premium and luxury vehicle brands across Melbourne and Adelaide. The company expects the proposed joint venture to be immediately earnings accretive, although completion remains conditional and no transaction value has been disclosed.