Morningstar upbeat on Australia's Whitehaven Coal's boosted shareholder returns

Whitehaven Coal

22/08/2025 24:05

** Analysts at Morningstar approve Whitehaven Coal WHC.AX increasing target payout to between 40% and 60% of adjusted net profit after tax; in line with market view

** Coal miner posted smaller-than-expected decline in annual profit and plans to boost shareholder returns on Thursday

** "We now expect volumes of 25.5 mln metric tons in fiscal 2026, 3% lower than fiscal 2025 and down from our 26.5 mln forecast previously," Morningstar says

** Investment research firm thinks management's focus on organic growth rather than further merger and acquisition activity is "sensible"

** Stock up around 7% YTD, as of last close

 (Reporting by Shivangi Lahiri in Bengaluru)

 ((shivangi.lahiri@thomsonreuters.com))