Yancoal Australia Ltd (Yancoal AUS) reported a 13% year-on-year rise in first-half FY26 revenue to AUD 3.02 billion, driven by a 20% jump in ex-mine coal sales volumes and a 3% lift in realised prices to AUD 154/t. Thermal coal accounted for 80% of volumes, while metallurgical coal contributed the balance.
Operating headwinds—higher diesel, maintenance and inflationary pressures—combined with a AUD 49 million impairment on the Middlemount joint venture and a AUD 188 million hedge-reserve loss, cut profit sharply. Profit before tax fell 77% to AUD 56 million and net profit attributable to shareholders slid 90% to AUD 17 million. Basic earnings per share dropped to 1.30 cents from 12.40 cents a year earlier.
Cash operating costs rose 3% to AUD 96/t, although saleable coal production increased 5% to 19.8 million tonnes, a first-half record. Government royalties climbed 21% to AUD 318 million on stronger revenue.
Despite the earnings contraction, Yancoal remains in a robust financial position, ending June with AUD 2.09 billion in cash against AUD 60 million in lease liabilities, leaving the group in a net cash position of AUD 2.03 billion. Capital expenditure reached AUD 254 million in the half; full-year guidance has been trimmed to AUD 600-750 million.
Shareholders received a fully-franked final FY25 dividend of AUD 0.122 per share (AUD 161 million) in April. The board has now declared a fully-franked interim FY26 dividend of AUD 0.070 per share (AUD 92 million), payable on 18 September 2026. Net tangible assets per share edged up 2% to AUD 6.73.
Looking ahead, management expects 2026 attributable saleable production to land in the upper half of its 36.5-40.5 million-tonne guidance range, with cash costs likely near the upper end of AUD 90-98/t.
Strategically, Yancoal advanced its expansion agenda by agreeing in April to acquire Kestrel Coal Group Pty Ltd—owner of an 80% stake in the Kestrel metallurgical coal mine—for USD 1.85 billion upfront plus up to USD 550 million in contingencies. A USD 40 million (AUD 56 million) deposit has been paid, and completion is targeted for late Q3 2026 following recent FIRB approval. Funding will come from existing cash and a new USD 1.20 billion five-year acquisition facility, supplemented by a USD 200 million working-capital line.
Safety performance dipped, with the 12-month rolling total recordable injury frequency rate rising to 6.64, though it remains below the industry average of 9.23. Environmental approvals for a life-extension at the HVO mine are awaiting a decision from New South Wales authorities by end-Q3 2026.
No share repurchases occurred during the period, and the company confirmed compliance with Hong Kong listing conditions and governance codes.