A company controlled by the billionaire Stokes family has again hinted it might look overseas for merger opportunities, after delivering a rise in annual profit driven by its building materials and mining equipment arms.
SGH was thwarted in its attempt to take over Australia’s largest steelmaker, BlueScope, with a US partner earlier in 2026.
But the Ryan Stokes-led conglomerate is still eyeing opportunities as it posted a bottom-line net profit of $689.2 million, up 31.8 per cent, after a dip in revenue to $10.6 billion.
Underlying earnings – before interest and tax – rose one per cent to $1.6 billion, backed by its industrial services division, which delivered $1.5 billion.
However, the underlying result was at the lower end of its guidance for low-to-mid single-digit growth, which RBC Capital Markets analyst Nicholas Daish said was “soft”.
SGH is now forecasting underlying earnings growth for the 2026/27 year in the flat to low single digits.
Its shares fell 10 per cent to $41.69 in morning trading.
The services unit includes Boral, which supplies concrete, asphalt and quarry products to the construction industry, and WesTrac, which supplies heavy machinery and parts to the mining and construction sectors.
Mr Stokes said the group was looking at possible “bolt-on” opportunities involving companies that might sit alongside assets it already owns, like Boral.
“Growing into the right quarry asset … or in different segments in asphalt or recycling, that is definitely an area of focus,” he told an earnings call.
Asked about any potential offshore opportunities and if there were any targets in mind, Mr Stokes said that was still on the table, with conditions.
“Yes, we may look overseas but we are still of the view that the risk equation hasn’t changed from the one we had in Australia,” he told investors.
“Our predisposition is to investing in Australia.
“We are very conscious of our operating model playing well here and the ability to take the industrial business … and put that alongside what we have.”
SGH also owns equipment hire group Coates, and holds a 30 per cent stake in oil and gas producer Beach Energy as well as a 20 per cent stake in Southern Cross Media, which now holds SGH’s former Seven Network and West Australian assets.
SGH declared a final dividend of 32 cents per share, taking the total for the year to 64 cents.
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