Super Retail Group shares surged as much as 22% to a record high of $20.20 after reporting a stronger-than-expected full-year result, before closing 14% higher at $18.78.
Citi analyst Adrian Lemme noted that full-year 2025 earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of $396 million beat consensus by 6%, with second-half EBIT 14% ahead. He said Rebel and Supercheap Auto outperformed estimates while corporate costs came in below his forecasts.
The trading update showed 3.1% like-for-like sales growth and an ordinary dividend of 34 cents per share, in line with Citi’s expectations. However, the final dividend of 30 cents per share fell short of Citi’s 50 cent forecast, with Lemme pointing out that consensus did not fully anticipate a special dividend.
“The lower special dividend relative to last year (50 cps) will likely disappoint some investors,” Lemme said. “However, we expect the significant earnings beat and solid trading update to be viewed favourably, particularly considering Super Retail’s share price under-performance relative to other discretionary retailers in 2025.”