Computershare lifts guidance as H1 revenue hits $1.6B

Financial administration giant Computershare (ASX:CPU) has raised its full-year earnings outlook after delivering a resilient first-half performance that outpaced market expectations.

Despite a sharp decline in global interest rates, the group reported a 3.9% increase in revenue to $1.6 billion, successfully leveraging what CEO Stuart Irving described as a "natural hedge" against a low-yield environment.

While net profit saw a slight dip of 2.6% to $280.4 million—missing some analyst projections—the company’s operational strength was evident in its management earnings per share, which rose to 67.9 cents.

The performance has prompted leadership to upgrade the full-year EPS guidance to $1.44, a jump from the $1.40 forecasted last August 2025.

Shareholders are set for a significant windfall as the company declared a 55-cent interim dividend, a 22.2% rise over the previous year, opting for a direct payout after determining a share buy-back would be tax-inefficient.

Irving attributed the growth to a strategic pivot as US cash rates fell nearly 17% during the period.

"The reduction in rates stimulated increased business activity levels and higher client balances," Irving noted, adding that recurring client-paid fees grew by 5%.