Key facts
- ASX reported a 5% rise in annual underlying profit to A$536.4 million for the year ended June 30.
- Operating revenue increased 7% to $1.11 billion, with underlying net profit after tax up 7.5% to $510 million.
- The company declared a final dividend of 112.1 cents per share, bringing the total FY25 dividend to 223.3 cents.
- Growth was driven by increased activity in cash market trading and the debt market.
- The company is focused on its transformation program and managing higher costs expected in FY26.
Australia's bourse operator ASX reported a more than 5% rise in annual underlying profit, driven by heightened market volatility that boosted trading activity. The company's shares reached their highest level in over three months following the announcement.
For the year ended June 30, ASX reported underlying net profit after tax of A$536.4 million, compared with A$510 million a year earlier. Operating revenue increased 7% to $1.11 billion, and underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) rose 7.5% to $510 million. Statutory NPAT was up 6.0% to $502.6 million, while total expenses increased 7.2% to $460.3 million.
The company declared a final fully franked dividend of 112.1 cents per share, bringing the total FY25 dividend to 223.3 cents, a 7.4% increase. The underlying return on equity stood at 13.6%, up from 13.0% in FY24.
Growth was supported by solid performance in three out of four business lines: Markets, Technology & Data, and Securities & Payments. Cash market trading revenue saw a 15.3% increase due to higher activity, and Austraclear revenue jumped 16.7%, driven by the debt market. Cost growth remained below guidance due to ongoing expense management.
Managing Director and CEO Helen Lofthouse acknowledged challenges and the need for continued transformation to build stakeholder confidence. ASX anticipates higher core business costs in FY26 due to the ASIC Inquiry. The CHESS replacement project is progressing, with the first industry test environment live and Release 1 targeted for the fourth quarter of FY26. The company also plans to introduce new data products and support listings activity. Early FY26 has shown continued momentum in cash market trading, with July 2025 values up 20% year-on-year.