Whitehaven Coal (WHC) H2 2026 earnings summary

Executive summary

• Achieved record safety performance with TRIFR at 3.3, down from 4.6 in FY25, and no environmental enforcement actions in FY26.

• Managed ROM coal production reached 40.3Mt, with strong contributions from both QLD (20.1Mt) and NSW (20.2Mt), at the top end of guidance.

• Revenue reached AUD 5.4 billion, with 57% from metallurgical coal and 43% from thermal coal.

• Underlying NPAT was AUD 227 million; statutory NPAT was AUD 385 million, reflecting AUD 158 million in non-recurring post-tax gains.

• Fully franked final dividend of AUD 0.06 per share (~AUD 47 million) and a buyback of equal value, with total FY26 capital returns of AUD 159 million split evenly between dividends and buybacks.

Financial highlights

• Revenue of AUD 5.4 billion, down 7% year-over-year due to softer coal prices and adverse currency movements.

• Underlying EBITDA of AUD 1.25 billion, down 8% from FY25; Queensland contributed AUD 677 million, New South Wales AUD 596 million.

• Average achieved coal price was AUD 202/tonne, down 6% year-over-year; unit cost reduced to AUD 132/tonne from AUD 139/tonne.

• Net debt at 30 June 2026 was AUD 1.3 billion, with gearing at 18%.

• Cash generated from operations was AUD 1.06 billion, down 16% from FY25.

Outlook and guidance

• FY27 managed ROM coal production guidance is 38–41 million tons, with managed coal sales at 30.4–33 million tons and equity coal sales at 23.9–26 million tons.

• Unit cost guidance for FY27 is AUD 132–147/tonne, reflecting diesel price uncertainty and inflation; CapEx guidance is AUD 390–490 million, mainly due to Narrabri refurbishment.

• Focus areas include safety, disciplined cost management, operational reliability, and capital allocation.

• Met and thermal coal prices have strengthened at the start of FY27, but market volatility persists.

• Final deferred and contingent payments for the BMA acquisition are due by July 2027.