ASX All Ords stock down 20% after 'challenging environment' in H1 FY25

A sharp jump in dividends wasn't enough to sway investors today.

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

ASX All Ords stock Helloworld Travel Ltd (ASX: HLO) has dropped sharply on Wednesday following the release of its H1 FY25 results.

Shares in the travel company are fetching $1.64 apiece at the time of writing, 20% in the red as the market takes in its results.

Let's see what was posted.

Couple at an airport waiting for their flight.

Image source: Getty Images

ASX All Ords stock drops after mixed first-half

Key results from Helloworld's first-half FY25 earnings:

  • Total Transaction Value (TTV) declined by 6.9% to $2.1 billion
  • Revenue fell by 7.6% to $103.8 million
  • Pre-tax profit decreased by 20% to $27.2 million on a margin of 26%
  • Net profit dropped 32.4% to $10.8 million
  • Earnings per share (EPS) decreased by around 30% year over year to 7.1 cents
  • Declared an 8 cents per share interim dividend, up 60% from the previous period

What else happened in H1 FY25?

Helloworld shares had a challenging period on the chart during the first half. But the ASX All Ords stock also faced a "challenging fiscal environment in Australia".

This includes "cost of living increases impacting demand for leisure travel and reductions in airfares pushing flight TTV downwards across the period".

Consequently, TTV and revenues were down by 7% and around 7.5% year over year, respectively.

As a result, underlying pre-tax profits came in around $7 million lower compared to last year at $27 million,

Segment-wise, the retail division launched its "Loyalty Shares Program", and delivered its "Hellloword" TV show on the Nine TV network.

Meanwhile, the wholesale segment saw "positive results with strong demand for travel to mid-haul destinations", whereas the cruise division saw "overall higher yields" over the summer.

The wholesale division also launched its luxury brand, Viva Gold.

The board also declared an interim dividend of 8 cents per share, payable on March 26. This may or may not impact the ASX All Ords stock.

What did management say?

Andrew Burnes AO, CEO of Helloworld, acknowledged the challenges but was also constructive of what's to come.

Our performance across the first half reflects a challenging fiscal environment in Australia with cost of living increases impacting demand for leisure travel and reductions in airfares pushing flight TTV downwards across the period.

However, we have continued to invest in our business, growing our technology options and expanding our wholesale product range while enhancing our core capabilities around ticketing and air consolidation. Despite the short-term challenges, we will continue to leverage our industry knowledge and drive long term shareholder value across the period ahead…

..Looking ahead we are seeing strong forward bookings over the remainder of 2025. The business has balance sheet strength, no external bank borrowings and strong liquidity that positions the Company for long term sustainable growth.

What's next?

Looking to FY25, management forecasts underlying pre-tax earnings of $56 million to $62 million.

It also mentioned a "strong forward bookings for calendar 2025", and didn't rule out the possibility of making acquisitions. Per the company:

Management are focused on medium to long term value creation. HLO continues to invest to strengthen our agent and advisor networks; to target earnings-accretive core business acquisitions; leverage AI to improve productivity and efficiency and to benefit from Australian and New Zealand economic growth.

ASX All Ords stock snapshot

After posting a mixed set of H1 FY25 results before the open, this ASX All Ords stock is in the red today.

Zooming out, Helloworld Travel shares are down nearly 40% in the past year.

Motley Fool contributor Zach Bristow has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Earnings Results

A young woman in a red polka-dot dress holds an old-fashioned green telephone set in one hand and raises the phone to her ear.
Earnings Results

Telstra share price drops 5% on FY26 report despite big dividend increase

Telstra will pay a final dividend of 10.5 cents per share for FY26.

Read more »

A woman with a sad face stands under a shredded umbrella in a grey thunderstorm.
Earnings Results

IAG shares dive 7% on FY26 results despite $1.3B increase in gross written premiums

Net profit fell despite a $1.3B rise in gross written insurance premiums last financial year.

Read more »

A couple sit in front of a laptop reading ASX shares news articles and learning about ASX 200 bargain buys
Earnings Results

FINEOS swings to profit in 1H26

FINEOS posted higher revenue, swung to profit, and outlined growth plans.

Read more »

Woman using a pen on a digital stock market chart in an office.
Earnings Results

ASX Ltd FY26 results: revenue up 13%, technology upgrades, dividend declared

The stock exchange operator is paying shareholders a final dividend per share of 104.7 cents.

Read more »

A woman wine tasting in a bottle shop.
Earnings Results

Treasury Wine Estates FY26 earnings: Transformation continues amid US asset write-downs

EBITS was up 19.2% to $492.3 million, beating its guidance.

Read more »

Two brokers analysing stocks.
Earnings Results

AGL Energy posts solid FY26 result, lifts dividend, eyes growth in renewables

The company's guidance for FY 2027 is underlying EBITDA between $1.9 billion and $2.2 billion.

Read more »

Young woman waiting for job interview.
Earnings Results

SEEK Ltd FY26 earnings: record dividend and strong revenue rise

SEEK reported a 17% increase in sales revenue to $1,284 million.

Read more »

a woman looks at her phone while making a transaction at the counter of a store where racks of clothing can be seen in the background.
Earnings Results

Premier Investments updates investors on FY26 sales and outlook

Premier Retail sales are down in FY 2026.

Read more »