ANZ has announced an 83 cents per share interim dividend for the half year ended 31 March 2026, representing a solid capital return to shareholders. The proposed dividend is 75 percent franked for Australian tax purposes at the 30 percent corporate tax rate, with New Zealand imputation credits of NZD 14 cents per share. The unfranked portion has been sourced from the Group’s conduit foreign income account, ensuring an efficient dividend structure for the bank’s diverse shareholder base. The record date for dividend entitlements is 12 May 2026, with payment scheduled for 1 July 2026.
The underlying profit performance provides sound support for the dividend decision. Statutory profit attributable to shareholders reached AUD 3,650 million for the half year, while operating income totalled AUD 11,079 million. Cash profit, which excludes non-core items and timing differences more reflective of ongoing business performance, was AUD 3,780 million. The difference between statutory and cash profit reflects AUD 130 million in non-core items, primarily relating to economic hedging adjustments and amortisation of intangible assets from business combinations. This distinction between reported profit and operating earnings provides useful transparency for assessing the quality and sustainability of ANZ’s core business performance.
The dividend reinvestment plan and bonus option plan will continue to operate for the 2026 interim dividend, providing shareholders with options to increase their holdings. ANZ intends to purchase shares on market to satisfy DRP obligations rather than issuing new shares, and will issue new shares to satisfy BOP requirements. The acquisition price will be based on the arithmetic average of daily volume weighted average sale prices during a 10-trading-day pricing period commencing 15 May 2026. Shareholders wishing to commence, cease, or vary their participation in either plan must notify ANZ’s Share Registrar by 5:00pm AEST on 13 May 2026. For shareholders with registered addresses in the United Kingdom or New Zealand, dividends will be automatically converted to local currency at exchange rates calculated on 15 May 2026.
Going forward, investors should monitor ANZ’s capital management approach and any updates to dividend policy as the bank continues to navigate regulatory capital requirements and evolving economic conditions. The sustainability of the 83-cent dividend level and the balance ANZ strikes between capital preservation and shareholder returns will serve as important indicators of management confidence in the bank’s financial position. This announcement is price sensitive and has been flagged as material by the ASX under Listing Rule 4.2A.
View the full ASX announcement (PDF)
About ANZ Group Holdings Limited (ASX: ANZ)
ANZ Group Holdings operates one of Australia’s four major banks, with a strong presence in retail and commercial banking across Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Asia-Pacific.
If you would like to discuss this announcement or how it might affect your portfolio, request a callback or call us on 1300 889 603.
