Australia's Helia logs steepest gain in over 5 months on better-than-expected interim profit

Helia

11/08/2026 03:48

** Shares of Helia Group HLI.AX rise as much as 10.9% to A$5.68, their largest intraday pct gain since February 25
** Stock hits highest level since July 14
** Lenders mortgage insurance provider logs 1H26 underlying net profit after tax A$106.3 million ($75.01 million), down 16% from last year but beating VA consensus estimate A$91 million
** Co narrows FY26 insurance rev forecast to A$330 million-A$360 million from A$320 million-A$370 million
** Jefferies says co's insurance revenue proved "far more resilient", down 6%, and reflects the back book's multi-year earnings profile
** Brokerage, however, flags evidence of dwelling prices peaking as well as mortgage headwinds, may raise concerns beyond FY26
** More than 1.7 million shares change hands, 2 times the 30-day average
** Stock up 12.6% YTD, including the day's moves


($1 = 1.4172 Australian dollars)

 (Reporting by Nikita Maria Jino in Bengaluru)
 ((Nikita.Jino@thomsonreuters.com;))