ASX:ANZ

ANZ Group to Redeem $1 Billion Subordinated Convertible Securities in June

ANZ Group Holdings (ASX:ANZ, NZE:ANZ) confirmed that it will redeem its $1 billion 6.75% fixed-rate resetting perpetual subordinated contingent convertible securities, issued through its London branch, on June 15, according to Thursday filings with the New Zealand bourse.The redemption has received approval from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, per the filing.The bank clarified that this redemption does not imply any plans for future redemptions of its other callable capital instruments, which would also depend on regulatory approval.

New Zealand High Court Rules Against ANZ New Zealand in Class Action Suit

ANZ Group Holdings (ASX:ANZ, NZE:ANZ) said the High Court of New Zealand on Monday ruled that ANZ Bank New Zealand breached the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003 in class action proceedings served in September 2021, according to Tuesday filings with the Australian and New Zealand bourses.The court held that the representative plaintiffs are entitled to payment of the costs of borrowing for the period of breach, or NZ$32,728.42. The bank is considering how this judgment may apply to other members of the class. It expects the maximum potential liability for costs of borrowing arising from this decision to be around NZ$125 million.The bank is mulling its next steps, including filing an appeal.

UBS Upgrades ANZ Group Holdings to Neutral from Sell; Price Target is AU$36.50

Australian Shares Swing to Green; ANZ Group Holdings Posts Higher Fiscal H1 Cash Earnings, Operating Income

Australian shares swung back to positive territory on Friday's close as equities received a boost from earnings season in the US and oil prices eased.The S&P/ASX 200 Index rose 0.74%, or 64 points, to close at 8,729.80.Brent crude oil futures were trading over $111 per barrel. The Strait of Hormuz remained closed, and Iran said it would respond with "long and painful strikes" on US positions if the US renewed attacks.Strong corporate earnings lead to a rally ​in tech stocks on Wall Street. The US gross domestic ​product (GDP) increased at a 2% annualized rate last quarter, compared with a 0.5% pace in the fourth quarter, the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis said.On the domestic front, Australia's producer prices, excluding exports, increased 0.4% in the March quarter, following a 0.8% rise in the December 2025 quarter, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.Australia's manufacturing sector returned to expansion in April, though the improvement was outweighed by major supply-chain disruptions and a sharp rise in costs linked to fuel and freight pressures arising from the Middle East conflict, according to a survey by S&P Global.The headline seasonally adjusted S&P Global Australia Manufacturing Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI) rose to 51.3 in April from 49.8 in March.Australia's home value index edged 0.3% higher in April, registering its slowest pace of growth since January 2025 amid declines in Sydney and Melbourne, according to figures from Cotality.In company news, ANZ Group Holdings (ASX:ANZ, NZE:ANZ) reported fiscal first-half cash earnings of AU$1.242 per share, up from AU$1.17 a year earlier. Operating income for the six months ended March 31 was AU$11.2 billion, compared with about AU$11 billion a year earlier. Its shares fell 2% at market close.Coles Group (ASX:COL) sales revenue for the fiscal third quarter was AU$10.7 billion, up from AU$10.38 billion a year earlier. The increase was driven by a 4% growth in the supermarket segment's sales revenue to AU$9.78 billion. Its shares closed up 3%.Lastly, Qantas Airways (ASX:QAN) and its Jetstar unit are set to extend previously disclosed schedule changes across their international and domestic network into the first quarter of fiscal year 2027, aiming to mitigate the impact of significantly higher fuel prices due to the Middle East conflict. Its shares closed up 1%.

ANZ Group Launches Cashback Program in New Zealand

ANZ Group Holdings (ASX:ANZ, NZE:ANZ) launched a cashback rewards program for New Zealand customers in partnership with Visa, the company said Thursday.Through ANZ Loop, New Zealand customers can earn cash back automatically on eligible purchases from major retailers such as The Warehouse and Noel Leeming when they pay with their personal Visa debit or credit card.Instead of receiving points, the program allows customers to receive cash directly back to their accounts without the need to activate offers or use a promo code, the company said.Other brands participating in the launch of ANZ Loop include Milkrun, The Coffee Club, Designer Wardrobe, New Balance, Flamingo Scooters, Petdirect, and M.A.C.ANZ Group shares were down 1% in recent trading on the Australian and New Zealand bourses.

ANZ Group Less Vulnerable Than Peers to Inevitable Retail Deposit Pricing Changes, Jarden Says

ANZ Group Holdings (ASX:ANZ, NZE:ANZ) is "much less vulnerable" to inevitable information technology-driven changes to retail deposit pricing than its major bank peers, Jarden said in a Friday note following the company's fiscal first-half results.The company's cash net profit after tax of AU$3.78 billion exceeded both consensus and Jarden's estimates by around 3%.The equity research firm said it seeks clarity on how ANZ plans to extend and leverage its leadership in institutional and New Zealand banking, whilst closing gaps in the Australian retail and business segments.It added that ANZ has a clear, distinctive target to increase return on tangible equity to 12% by fiscal year 2028 and 13% by fiscal year 2030 by "unlocking efficiency dividends from right sizing, simplification and synergy extraction."Jarden maintained an overweight rating on ANZ Group with a price target of AU$35.

Update: ANZ Group Holdings Posts Higher Fiscal H1 Cash Earnings, Operating Income

(Updates to add stock movement in the last paragraph)ANZ Group Holdings (ASX:ANZ, NZE:ANZ) reported Friday fiscal first-half cash earnings of AU$1.242 per share, up from AU$1.17 a year earlier.Analysts polled by FactSet expected earnings of AU$1.23.Operating income for the six months ended March 31 was AU$11.2 billion, compared with about AU$11 billion a year earlier. Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected AU$11.39 billion.The board declared an interim dividend of AU$0.83 per share, unchanged from the prior corresponding period, payable July 1 to shareholders on record as of May 12.The company's shares on the Australian and New Zealand bourses fell around 1% and 2%, respectively, in recent Friday trade.

ASX Preview: Australian Shares Set to Rise as Oil Prices Ease; ANZ Group Holdings Posts Higher Fiscal H1 Cash Earnings, Operating Income

Australian shares are poised to rise on Friday as oil prices eased from earlier four-year highs amid volatile trading driven by escalating US-Iran tensions and fears over potential disruptions to Middle East crude supplies.Overnight, the S&P 500, the Nasdaq Composite, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1%, 0.9%, and 1.6%, respectively.In the macroeconomy, the Australian manufacturing sector returned to modest growth in April, though the improvement masked growing strain from Middle East-driven supply chain disruptions, surging fuel costs, and continued weakness in orders and production, according to a survey by S&P Global.Australia's home value index edged 0.3% higher in April, registering its slowest pace of growth since January 2025 amid declines in Sydney and Melbourne, according to figures from Cotality.Australia's producer price indexes report is due at 11:30 am Sydney time.In corporate news, ANZ Group Holdings (ASX:ANZ) reported Friday fiscal first-half cash earnings of AU$1.242 per share on operating income of AU$11.2 billion, compared with cash earnings of AU$1.17 on operating income of AU$11 billion a year earlier.ResMed (ASX:RMD) reported Friday fiscal third-quarter non-GAAP earnings of $2.86 per share on revenue of $1.43 billion, compared with earnings of $2.37 on revenue of $1.29 billion a year earlier.Coles Group (ASX:COL) sales revenue for the fiscal third quarter was AU$10.7 billion, up from AU$10.38 billion a year earlier.Australia's benchmark index fell 0.2% or 21.2 points to close at 8,665.80 on Thursday.

ANZ Group's Total Capital, CET1 Capital Up in March Quarter

ANZ Group Holdings' (ASX:ANZ, NZE:ANZ) total capital and Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital both rose year over year in the March quarter, according to a Friday Australian bourse filing.The bank's total capital in the three months to March came in at AU$98.49 billion, up from the AU$95.5 billion in the year earlier period. Its CET1 capital for the period clocked in at AU$57.47 billion, increasing from the AU$55.23 billion it reported for the March 2025 quarter.Its CET1 ratio for the March quarter exceeded 12%, compared with about 12% in the prior-year period. It reported a liquidity coverage ratio of roughly 132% for the quarter, compared with a little over 133% in the year-earlier period.

ANZ Group Holdings Posts Higher Fiscal H1 Cash Earnings, Operating Income

ANZ Group Holdings (ASX:ANZ, NZE:ANZ) reported Friday fiscal first-half cash earnings of AU$1.242 per share, up from AU$1.17 a year earlier.Analysts polled by FactSet expected earnings of AU$1.23.Operating income for the six months ended March 31 was AU$11.2 billion, compared with about AU$11 billion a year earlier. Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected AU$11.39 billion.The board declared an interim dividend of AU$0.83 per share, unchanged from the prior corresponding period, payable July 1 to shareholders on record as of May 12.

ANZ Group Holdings Posts Fiscal H1 Cash EPS of AU$1.242, Operating Income of AU$11.2 Billion

Australia's Payments Roundtable Seeks Feedback on Draft Vision for Account-to-Account Payments

The Account-to-Account Payments Roundtable released a public consultation on the draft vision for the future of account-to-account payments in Australia on Thursday, defining the desired end-user outcomes and future state for account-to-account payments, according to a same-day statement.The vision seeks to provide certainty to stakeholders on the long-term strategic direction for account-to-account payments in Australia and anchor the industry's development of account-to-account products, services, and underlying infrastructure.It noted the rapid changes, driven by advances in digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital assets, and digital identity, and their integration into the payments system.The development of a clear industry roadmap is the next step towards delivering the vision, per the statement. The roadmap will be developed collaboratively in 2026 through the roundtable process.The roundtable includes the Australian Payments Network, Australian Payments Plus, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), and the Commonwealth Treasury. It was established in August 2025 under authorization by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.The deadline for the submission of consultations is May 22.

Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Warns Financial Sector Over AI-Related Risks

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) on Thursday called on the financial sector to enhance its management of AI-related risks, warning that information security practices are struggling to keep up with the speed of the technology's adoption.In a letter to the industry, the regulator outlined the findings of a review it launched last year, noting that the growing use of advanced AI is creating multiple new financial and operational vulnerabilities for banks, insurers, and superannuation trustees."Frontier AI models such as Anthropic's Claude Mythos, which could enhance the discovery of vulnerabilities by bad actors, are expected to further increase the probability, speed, and scale of cyber attacks," APRA said.The regulator found that financial corporates have a high interest in the potential benefits of AI usage, but in many cases lack the technical knowledge to effectively manage the associated risks.The APRA is not proposing to introduce additional requirements at this stage but expects to see a "significant improvement" in how the financial sector approaches AI-related risk management and governance.

Australian Shares Again Fall; G8 Education to Suspend Operation of Around 40 Centers

Australian shares continued to retreat for the seventh consecutive day at Wednesday's close as markets reacted to the United Arab Emirates' decision to leave the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).The S&P/ASX 200 Index fell 0.27%, or by 23.70 points, to close at 8,687.Brent crude oil futures for June were trading around $111.25 a barrel after the UAE decided to exit OPEC and OPEC+, effective May 1.Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz remained closed, as US President Donald Trump is said to be unhappy with Iran's latest proposal.Further, President ​Trump told aides to be ready for an extended Iran blockade, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials.On the domestic front, Australia's consumer price index (CPI) rose 4.6% in the 12 months to March, up from a 3.7% increase in the year to February, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.Trimmed mean inflation was unchanged at 3.3% in the 12 months to March compared with February.In company news, G8 Education (ASX:GEM) plans to suspend the operation of around 40 of its centers as a result of an assessment of its network. It will transition customers to one of the nearby centers and, where possible, redeploy team members. The firm will then consider longer-term options for those centers, including lease surrender, divestment, or other alternatives. Its shares plunged 29% at market close, earlier reaching a 16-year low.Woodside Energy Group's (ASX:WDS) operating revenue fell to $3.26 billion in the first quarter ended March 31 from $3.32 billion a year earlier. Total production in the March quarter fell year on year to 45.2 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBoe) from 49.1 MMBoe. Its shares closed up 2%.Lastly, ANZ Group Holdings (ASX:ANZ, NZE:ANZ) agreed to acquire Worldline's 51% stake in their joint venture ANZ Worldline for an enterprise value of AU$89 million as part of the bank's broader 2030 strategy to enhance transaction banking capabilities.

ANZ Group to Acquire Worldline's 51% Stake in JV for AU$89 Million

ANZ Group Holdings (ASX:ANZ, NZE:ANZ) agreed to acquire Worldline's 51% stake in their joint venture ANZ Worldline for an enterprise value of AU$89 million as part of the bank's broader 2030 strategy to enhance transaction banking capabilities, according to a Wednesday filing with the Australian and New Zealand bourses.The move will enable the bank to offer a more integrated payments and banking experience, per the filing.The deal is subject to Australian Competition and Consumer Commission approval and is expected to be completed in the second half of fiscal 2026, with a minimal estimated impact of about 6 basis points on level 2 CET1 capital, the filing added.

ANZ Group's Financial Education Program Launches Two New Modules

ANZ Group's (ASX:ANZ, NZE:ANZ) MoneyBusiness financial education program for First Nations adults, developed in partnership with the Australian Government in 2005, launched two learning modules on digital confidence and scams, the banking and financial services company said in a Thursday statement.The modules are designed to boost support for First Nations communities and were developed in response to feedback from MoneyBusiness coaches, community professionals, and previous participants, the statement said.The program is delivered by the Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network.ANZ Group shares fell 1% in afternoon trade on the Australian and New Zealand bourses.

Australian Banks Back Interest-Free Loans Under Australian Government Program

Australian banks support the roll-out of interest-free loans to businesses through the government's AU$1 billion Economic Resilience Program under the National Reconstruction Fund, the Australian Banking Association said in a statement on Monday.Businesses in identified priority sectors with an annual turnover of AU$100 million or less can secure a zero-interest loan of up to AU$5 million under the program, the banking group said.Banks participating in the program include the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBA), National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB), Westpac Banking (ASX:WBC, NZE:WBC), and ANZ Group (ASX:ANZ, NZE:ANZ), per the statement.Commonwealth Bank shares fell nearly 1% in morning trade in Australia, while National Australia Bank shares were down past 3%.Meanwhile, Westpac Banking and ANZ Group shares fell nearly 1% in recent trade in New Zealand.

Australian Banks Take 'Decisive Action' to Disrupt Transactions Supporting Illicit Tobacco Trade, Austrac Says

Australia's banks took "decisive action" to disrupt the financial flows supporting the country's illicit tobacco trade after Austrac and the Illicit Tobacco and E-Cigarette (ITEC) Commissioner asked them to strengthen monitoring and reporting under their existing anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations, the regulator said in a Tuesday statement.They asked lenders to scrutinize high-risk transactions linked to tobacco retailers, including cash deposits and EFTPOS activity, according to Austrac Chief Executive Brendan Thomas.Almost 90% of banks and authorized deposit taking institutions responded to Austrac's request, per the statement, and around 20% of the reporting entities exited high-risk customers with exposure to illicit tobacco, while others imposed enhanced controls and monitoring arrangements to manage identified risks.Commonwealth Bank of Australia's (ASX:CBA) shares gained about 1% in recent Tuesday trade, ANZ Group Holdings' (ASX:ANZ, NZE:ANZ) Australia shares shed 1%, and Westpac Banking's (ASX:WBC, NZE:WBC) Australia shares fell 2%.