Hundreds of S&P/ASX All Ords Index (ASX: XAO) companies announced their next dividends during the EOFY reporting season.

We're helping you keep track of ex-dividend dates with an article every Friday.

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ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week

Check out which ASX shares begin trading ex-dividend today.

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What did Freightways report?

• Revenue increased 13.5% to NZ$1,463.6 million
• Net profit after tax (NPAT) up 17.3% to NZ$94 million
• EBITA grew 14.6% to NZ$181.6 million; EBITA margin improved to 12.4%
• Basic earnings per share rose 17.2% to 52.4 cents
• Final dividend of 24 cents per share (full-year dividend up 12.5% to 45 cents)
• Cash generated from operations up 14.9% to NZ$279.4 million

What else do investors need to know?

The company managed to grow despite a challenging economic backdrop, including volatile fuel prices and the impact of the Middle East conflict on demand late in the year. Freightways responded quickly by adjusting its fuel recovery approach and keeping a focus on margin improvement.

Growth in the Australian division was a highlight, now contributing 38% of group EBITA, with Allied Express and the addition of VTFE driving performance. The acquisition of VTFE in February added five months of earnings and supported an uplift in scale and capability in Australia.

In its information management and waste renewal division, revenues held steady with expansion in medical and e-waste services, offsetting some softness in digitalisation demand. Shred-X showed signs of ongoing margin recovery after its business reset.

What did Freightways management say?

Mark Troughear, Chief Executive Officer, said:

Our businesses have proven to be resilient over the past three years of soft economic activity. Same-customer activity was recovering and positive before the war, but has turned negative since April.

What's next for Freightways?

Looking ahead, Freightways expects volumes to remain subdued until fuel prices ease and broader economic conditions improve, meaning recovery may take longer than previously anticipated. The business is investing in extra capacity, with Christchurch and Palmerston North facility expansions due in 2027 to support long-term growth in New Zealand.

In Australia, management sees medium-term potential for the market to overtake NZ in terms of revenue and earnings. A disciplined approach to acquisitions remains, targeting opportunities that complement its core express network and add value for shareholders.

Freightways share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Freightways shares have risen 11%, outperforming the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

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The post Freightways FY26 earnings: Profit and dividend up, Aussie growth shines appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Freightways Group report?

• Operating revenue rose 8.5% to $718.2 million
• EBITA increased 12.2% to $96.5 million, with margin improving to 13.4%
• Net profit after tax (NPAT) jumped 17.2% to $52.5 million
• Basic earnings per share lifted 17.2% to 29.3 cents
• Interim dividend up 10.5% to 21 cents per share
• Net debt reduced 6.7% to $587.1 million

What else do investors need to know?

Freightways' Express Package and Business Mail division showed strong revenue and margin growth, with same-customer volume increases, market share gains, and successful pricing moves. The Australian Allied Express business enjoyed solid volume momentum, boosted by successful Black Friday trading and new customer wins.

The Information Management and Waste Renewal division remained steady, with revenue broadly flat but modest EBITA growth. One-off restructuring costs affected HY26, but these are not expected to repeat, and waste renewal segments like Secure Destruction and Medical Waste saw solid growth.

The recent acquisition of VT Freight Express for A$71 million post-period end adds a complementary B2B express service in Australia, expected to be 6% earnings-per-share accretive in the first year and building out Freightways' Australian presence.

What's next for Freightways Group?

Freightways expects continued improvement in same-customer volumes, particularly in New Zealand, as economic conditions gradually recover. The focus remains on rebuilding margins, boosting operational efficiency, and delivering better value for shareholders through disciplined growth.

The group also plans to pursue bolt-on acquisitions to strengthen its niche express offering in Australia, with the recent VT Freight Express acquisition laying a foundation for further growth, while sticking close to its capital management policy.

Freightways Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Freightways Group shares have risen 27% outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 4% over the same period.

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The post Freightways Group lifts profit and dividend in HY26 results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Yet despite the deal being forecast to lift earnings per share by 6% in year one, the Freightways share price barely moved.

A flat share price doesn't mean the market is unimpressed. If anything, it suggests that the company may be underfollowed by analysts and large institutional investors, or that the acquisition aligns neatly with what investors already expected from the company.

Despite owning well-known courier and package delivery brands such as Allied Express, Freightways Group remains relatively under the radar in the investor community.

That, however, could change soon as the company continues to execute its growth strategy.

While today's news didn't move the needle, the Freightways share price is already up around 43% year to date in 2025, reflecting strong operational momentum. The company has delivered steady revenue and earnings expansion, disciplined cost management, and an improving contribution from its Australian operations, which will grow with this acquisition.

In FY25, revenue grew 6.6% to $1.3 billion, and NPAT rose 12.9% to $80.1 million, with management signalling confidence in continued growth into FY26.

According to Freightways' announcement, VTFE generated A$77 million in revenue over the past 12 months and operates an asset-light contractor model across all Australian states and territories. This is a structure that mirrors much of Freightways' existing Australian operations. The business gives Freightways a stronger foothold in the B2B freight segment, complementing allied brands such as Allied Express, which focuses on B2C deliveries.

Against that backdrop, today's acquisition looks less like a shock announcement and more like another step in Freightways' broader Australian expansion strategy. VTFE provides density, scale, and a platform for further growth, while reinforcing Freightways' multi-brand approach in one of its highest-potential markets.

Foolish bottom line

For investors, the key takeaway may not be today's flat share price, but the fact that Freightways continues to extend its footprint in Australia. If the company maintains its track record of earnings growth and strategic discipline, the recent strong share price performance may not be finished yet.

The post Is this little-known stock setting up for its next move higher? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Freightways Group report?

• Acquisition of VT Freight Express (VTFE) for A$71 million (subject to adjustments)
• VTFE revenue of A$77 million in the 12 months to October 2025
• Deal expected to lift Freightways' earnings per share by 6% in the first year
• VTFE operates across all Australian states and territories, with 87 contractors and 49 staff
• Acquisition funded through existing and new bank debt facilities

What else do investors need to know?

The acquisition gives Freightways a stronger foothold in Australia's express delivery market, particularly in the business-to-business (B2B) segment. VTFE B2B services cover many industries, from building and healthcare to retail and plumbing, and will complement Allied Express, which focuses on B2C deliveries.

VTFE has operated with an asset-light model since its founding in 2010, using a contractor fleet and leased facilities – a model familiar to Freightways and its existing operations. Following completion, VTFE will continue under its own leadership while sharing resources where it makes sense.

What's next for Freightways Group?

Completion of the VTFE acquisition is expected on or after 30 January 2026, subject to customary conditions. This deal aligns with Freightways' multi-brand strategy, aiming to grow its market share in Australia and open more B2B growth opportunities.

The company also intends to maintain a focus on organic growth and further M&A activity, leveraging its enhanced market position in the competitive Australian express delivery sector.

Freightways Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Freightways shares have risen 28%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 3% over the same period.

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The post Freightways Group to acquire VT Freight Express in $71m deal appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.