St Barbara Limited swung to a statutory profit after tax of A$490 million for the 2026 financial year, driven by a A$500 million gain on the deconsolidation of New Simberi Gold following its strategic transaction with Lingbao Gold Group. The result marks a complete turnaround from the statutory loss of A$94 million reported in fiscal 2025.

Net assets climbed 148% to A$928 million at the end of June 2026, up from A$374 million a year earlier. Total cash reserves expanded to A$475 million compared with A$157 million at the close of fiscal 2025, supported by a debt-free balance sheet and zero hedging positions.

Under the Lingbao agreement completed on 2 April 2026, St Barbara’s ownership in the New Simberi Gold Project reduced to 50% minus one share. The asset contributed an underlying profit of A$40 million for the first nine months of the financial year prior to deconsolidation, reversing the A$30 million underlying loss recorded over the full 12 months of fiscal 2025.

The strengthening balance sheet prompted the board to declare a fully franked ordinary dividend of A$0.05 per share, scheduled for payment on 16 October 2026. The distribution will draw on a newly established distributable reserve of A$355 million, reducing the company's franking account credit balance from A$97 million to A$71 million.

“The strengthened balance sheet and healthy funding position has enabled the Board to declare a fully franked dividend of A$0.05 per share. The Company is also considering an on-market share buy-back of up to 100 million shares but will delay a decision until we have been able to announce the results of the update to the 15-Mile Processing Hub Project Pre-Feasibility Study, which is anticipated to be released at the end of September.” — Andrew Strelein, Managing Director and CEO

Management is also weighing an on-market buy-back of up to 100 million shares. A formal decision on the program has been deferred until the release of the updated pre-feasibility study for the 15-Mile Processing Hub Project, which is slated for the end of September 2026.

Operational work continues across the broader portfolio, with St Barbara maintaining its target to officially reopen the Touquoy operation in November 2026 following recent permitting milestones.

Read the full announcement: FY26 Financial Results