Research notes

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Research Notes

1H26 result: Half-time reset

Mach7 Technologies
3:27pm
February 27, 2026
M7T’s 1H26 result was a soft half as anticipated, with revenue down on lower capital licences and services, but recurring revenue now 85% of group revenue and covering most of the cost base, signaling a higher-quality earnings mix. The positive was the cost base reset is progressing well, with operating expenses down 6% and operating cash flow breakeven in 2Q, leaving the company sufficiently funded with A$18.5m cash and no debt to execute on its strategy. With the commercial and organisational reset largely complete and Flamingo beginning to sell, M7T looks positioned for a cleaner 2H and the potential for ARR to re-accelerate into FY27 as new deals and expansions land. No changes to valuation of A$0.76 and Buy recommendation.

1H26 result: Pretty nice and tidy

Generation Development Group
3:27pm
February 26, 2026
GDG’s 1H26 group underlying NPAT (A$20.1m, +63% on the pcp), was in line with MorgansF and +5% above Visible Alpha consensus (A$19.3m).    We acknowledge the change in divisional reporting made this a messy result, albeit it was more straightforward than we envisaged, and largely as expected across the board. Positive commentary on potential Evidentia mandates dropping this quarter was arguably our key takeaway, and this could provide a catalyst at the 3Q26 update (if management can deliver as promised). We lower our GDG FY26F/FY27F EPS by -1%/-6%. Changes to our forecasts reflect a broad review of our earnings assumptions, and re-modelling per GDG’s new reporting structure. Our PT falls to A$6.66 (previously A$7.97). We believe GDG has a great story, and management has executed well over time. With the stock trading at a >20% discount to our TP, we maintain our Buy call.

1H26 Result: Smile for the Camera

Acusensus
3:27pm
February 26, 2026
ACE delivered a strong and largely as expected 1H26 result with Revenue of $40.3m (+40% YoY) in line with MorgF $39.4m. Adjusted EBITDA of $3.9m (+9% YoY) was supported by the ramp-up of new contracts in NZ and WA. This was reflected in Australian EBITDA growth of 13% to $11.0m, and ACE’s International segment delivering positive EBITDA of +$0.9m, for the first time. FY26 revenue guidance of $83.0m-$87.0m was reaffirmed, with Adjusted EBITDA now expected to be in the range of $7.2m-$8.2m was reaffirmed. ACE is catalyst rich, with line of sight on various opportunities to scale the business domestically and internationally, over the near-to medium term. We retain our SPECULATIVE BUY rating & $2.30/sh PT.

FY25: Costs and FX higher, DPS flat, NPV decay

Atlas Arteria
3:27pm
February 26, 2026
Revenues were already known. Higher costs and FX rates (AUDEUR, AUDUSD) and APRR valuation decay caused our business-as-usual valuation to decline 28 cps to $3.99/share. First-time FY26 DPS guidance of 40 cps implies c.8.1% cash yield at current prices. We estimate the distribution can be sustained at this level until mid-2028 when excess corporate cash reserves are exhausted. Our target price of $4.31/sh assumes potential for IFM corporate activity, albeit this seems less likely as IFM ‘creeps’ its shareholding higher every six months (now c.35%). With potential TSR at current prices of -4%, we downgrade to TRIM.

1H26 result: Network strength underpins higher earnings

Helloworld
3:27pm
February 26, 2026
HLO reported a strong 1H26 result which slightly beat expectations. FY26 EBITDA guidance for 15-30% growth was reiterated. Its forward bookings remain strong. Following the 1H26, we have upgraded our forecasts. Given HLO’s undemanding trading multiples, improved trading conditions and contribution from new accretive acquisitions, we reiterate our BUY rating.

1H26 result comes in as expected

Atturra
3:27pm
February 26, 2026
In late December 2025 ATA guided to 1H26 underlying EBITDA of ~$7m and 2H26 underlying EBITDA of $23-24m (FY26 $30-31m). Today’s result was inline with this and the Board reaffirmed guidance for the full year. We make minor forecast changes and upgrade our recommendation to BUY (from ACUM MULATE). Our Target Price remains unchanged at 80cps.

Back to being well priced

COG Financial Services
3:27pm
February 26, 2026
COG’s 1H26 Underlying NPAT to shareholders (A$13.6m) was up +11% on the pcp, but -9% below MorgansE (~A$15m). We saw this as a bit of a mixed result with a strong performance in Salary Packaging offset by some margin pressures in Broking and Aggregation (B&A). Near term, we think additional business simplification (alluded to at this result), and further acquisitions remain the key stock catalysts. We downgrade our COG FY26F/FY27F EPS by -4%-5 respectively. Changes to our numbers reflect softer margin assumptions in B&A, and our price target is reduced to A$2.09 (from A$2.57). Following a recent pullback in COG’s share price, the stock now trades on an undemanding ~11x FY26F PE multiple (pre acquired amortisation). We think this is too cheap given the inherent optionality in the business, and we retain our Buy call (with >20% upside to our valuation).

1H26: Underlying growth, underlying distortions

Cleanaway Waste Management
3:27pm
February 26, 2026
1H26 was a mixed bag, with a minor bottom-of-the-range EBIT guidance upgrade. Next catalyst is the investor strategy day planned for 21 April. Earnings forecast adjustments are minimal, cashflow downgrades more material. Target price of $3.11/sh unchanged (downgrades offset by valuation roll-forward).

1H26 result: Progress evident, but is it sustainable?

Ramsay Health Care
3:27pm
February 26, 2026
1HFY26 underlying net profit exceeded expectations, assisted by lower finance charges and favourable non-controlling interest movements. Operationally, performance was solid, led by improving Australian activity and earnings, while UK acute held its own, Elysium remained soft, but continues its gradual turnaround, and EU is stable on better cost control. While progress is being made across the portfolio, the sustainability of profitable remains in question, with ongoing cost headwinds, the early stage of a multi-year transformation program in Australia and a largely qualitative FY26 outlook. We adjust FY26-28 earnings, with our price target increasing to A$40.77. Hold.

1H26 result: Next 4 years locked and loaded

NEXTDC
3:27pm
February 26, 2026
NXT sold more MWs in the month of December 2025 than in the preceding 36 months combined. It was a record sales period for enterprise and hyperscale. The 416MW now contracted underpins FY29 underlying EBITDA of >$700m (without new contract wins) and sees NXT trading on an undemanding ~22x EV/Contracted EBITDA, with upside potential. BUY retained and target price lifted to $20.50 from $19.00 following our upgrades.

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