ASX:REG

Australian Shares to Open Lower; Westpac Completes Sale of Home Loan Portfolio to Consortium Including Pepper Money

Australian shares are poised to open lower on Monday, as investors react to the uncertainty around a resolution to the conflict in the Middle East after US President Donald Trump said he cancelled strikes on Iran after Iran and other Middle Eastern countries had asked for time to complete a peace deal.On July 31, the Nasdaq Composite rallied 1% on the back of strong earnings from tech giants, while the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.7% and 0.5%, respectively.In the macroeconomy, investors are eyeing the release of the Melbourne Institute monthly inflation gauge report and Cotality's house prices data.In corporate news, Westpac Banking (ASX:WBC, NZE:WBC) completed the sale of the RAMS home loan portfolio, around AU$15.4 billion at completion, to a consortium consisting of Pepper Money (ASX:PPM), credit funds and accounts managed by KKR, and PIMCO managed funds.Regis Healthcare (ASX:REG) struck a deal to acquire the business and assets of Royal Freemasons Homes of Victoria's Home Care, a not-for-profit provider of at-home support services.Australia's benchmark index was little changed to close at 8,976.80 on July 31.

Regis Healthcare to Acquire Royal Freemasons Homes of Victoria's Home Care

Regis Healthcare (ASX:REG) struck a deal to acquire the business and assets of Royal Freemasons Homes of Victoria's Home Care, a not-for-profit provider of at-home support services, according to a Monday filing with the Australian bourse.The target business has about 480 clients and is expected to increase Regis Healthcare's home care revenue by over AU$10 million, taking annualized revenue to about AU$50 million, per the filing.The deal will be financed using existing cash and is expected to complete in the second quarter of fiscal year 2027, subject to regulatory approvals, the company said.

ASX Biggest Gainers

Here are the ASX-listed companies with the biggest gains on Friday.Coles Group (ASX:COL): +3%, AU$23.31Xero (ASX:XRO): +3%, AU$71.17Woodside Energy Group (ASX:WDS): +3%, AU$30.27AMP (ASX:AMP): +3%, AU$1.95Amcor (ASX:AMC): +3%, AU$63.72Generation Development Group (ASX:GDG): +3%, AU$3.57Regis Healthcare (ASX:REG): +3%, AU$6.15GQG Partners (ASX:GQG): +3%, AU$1.41News Corp (ASX:NWS): +2%, AU$46.69Guzman y Gomez (ASX:GYG): +2%, AU$21.74

Regis Healthcare's RAD Retention Revenues Expectations Delayed Amid Staggered Admissions, Says Jefferies

Regis Healthcare (ASX:REG) is expected to lag in delivering expected refundable accommodation deposit (RAD) retention revenue due to the staggered timing of resident admissions, according to a Wednesday Jefferies note.The sector is still awaiting aged care funding reforms to improve long-term sustainability, the note added.Regis continues to benefit from record-high occupancy levels, supporting a positive demand outlook, Jefferies said.Jefferies maintained a buy rating on Regis Healthcare and cut its price target to AU$8 from AU$9.

Regis Healthcare CFO to Retire

Regis Healthcare (ASX:REG) said Chief Financial Officer Rick Rostolis has advised the board of his decision to retire, effective Aug. 31, according to a Monday Australian bourse filing.The company has started the process of appointing a successor, the filing added.

UBS Starts Regis Healthcare at Neutral with AU$7 Price Target

ASX Biggest Gainers

Here are the ASX-listed companies with the biggest gains on Wednesday.Wisetech Global (ASX:WTC): +13%, AU$32.51BCI Minerals (ASX:BCI): +11%, AU$0.42Anteris Technologies (ASX:AVR): +10%, AU$14.99Xero (ASX:XRO): +8%, AU$70.31Telix Pharmaceuticals (ASX:TLX): +7%, AU$15.54Neuren Pharmaceuticals (ASX:NEU): +5%, AU$12.99Tasmea (ASX:TEA): +5%, AU$9.45Lindian Resources (ASX:LIN): +5%, AU$0.92Regis Healthcare (ASX:REG): +4%, AU$6.53Iluka Resources (ASX:ILU): +4%, AU$7.54

Jarden Research Downgrades Regis Healthcare to Neutral from Overweight; Adjusts Price Target to AU$7.50 from AU$8.20

Regis Healthcare Faces Headwind as HELF Adoption Falls Short of Expectations, Says Jarden

Regis Healthcare (ASX:REG) faced the impact of the adoption of the Higher Every Day Living Fee Package (HELF) not being as robust as first anticipated, according to a Thursday Jarden note.Jarden said the introduction of a decision for incoming residents on whether to take up the package has seen some opting down and opting out, which is likely to be a headwind for fiscal year 2027 and fiscal year 2028, prompting the downgrade until the HELF impact is fully understood.Jarden downgraded Regis Healthcare to neutral from overweight and cut its price target to AU$7.50 from AU$8.20.

Regis Healthcare to Benefit from Higher Govt Spending on Aged Care, Says Jefferies

Regis Healthcare (ASX:REG) is expected to reap benefits from higher government funding into aged care sector, Jefferies said Monday in a note, adding that it is awaiting clarity from the upcoming federal budget announcement this month.The government has announced plans for a AU$3 billion investment in aged care, which includes an increased accommodation supplement.The investment firm assumes that if 40% of Regis' residents received a AU$15 higher daily accommodation supplement, the company could see around a 10% boost in EBITDA per place over 12 months. Regis expects fiscal 2026 underlying EBITDA of around AU$135 million.Jefferies is also confident in the company's fiscal 2027 outlook despite near-full occupancy as Regis continues to expand its portfolio and increase the proportion of residents paying Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD). The company reported average occupancy of 95.9% in mature homes in the third quarter.Jefferies maintained a buy rating and increased its price target by 35% to AU$9.

Regis Healthcare Expects Fiscal 2026 Underlying EBITDA at Top End of Guidance

Regis Healthcare (ASX:REG) said it expects fiscal 2026 underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of about AU$135 million, at the top end of guidance, according to a Thursday Australian bourse filing.Occupancy across mature homes averaged about 96% in the fiscal third quarter, per the filing.The company said it generated net refundable accommodation deposit (RAD) cash inflows of AU$44.5 million in the third quarter, taking the total net RAD cash inflows for the year to date to AU$223 million.As resident turnover occurs, the progressive repricing of existing paid-up RADs to current advertised room prices is expected to generate net operating cash inflows of about AU$400 million over time while also increasing RAD retention earnings, the company added.

Regis Healthcare Appoints Andrew Kinkade as CEO

Regis Healthcare (ASX:REG) appointed Andrew Kinkade as managing director and CEO, according to a Wednesday filing with the Australian bourse.Kinkade, currently the managing director of Bupa Villages & Aged Care, will succeed Linda Mellors, who has resigned and will complete her notice period on June 19.

Regis Healthcare to Benefit From Aged Care Funding Reforms, Jarden Says

Regis Healthcare (ASX:REG) is set to gain from improved government funding, restructuring of accommodation supplements, and development incentives under proposed aged care reforms, according to a Thursday note by Jarden.The aged care industry is under sustained strain as growing demand from the ageing baby boomer cohort outpaces limited new supply, leading to record-high occupancy and prompting providers to shift toward higher-paying non-concessional residents to improve financial returns.Jarden said the accommodation pricing review changes introduced by Health Minister Mark Butler ahead of the federal budget are broadly positive and better than expectations of only a modest rise in the accommodation supplement.The reforms include a AU$5 per resident per day increase in the accommodation supplement and a new tiered system that increases funding for homes with 30% to 39% and over 60% concessional residents, replacing incentives that previously encouraged operators to stay just below 40%.Another important reform is the elimination of the maximum permissible interest rate for pricing refundable accommodation deposits, which Jarden considers beneficial as it gives providers more flexibility in setting conversion rates and enhances the stability of cash flows.The firm estimates that the combined impact of these changes could generate around a AU$7 million annual pre-tax earnings uplift for the company, equating to a mid-single-digit percentage increase to fiscal 2027 consensus profit measures.The firm notes the review proposes long-term daily payments and AU$2 billion in annual interest-free loans for aged care developments, which could support the company's nine greenfield projects, adding around 1,200 beds despite funding constraints.Jarden maintained an overweight rating on Regis Healthcare with a share price target of AU$8.50.