Coast Entertainment Holdings (CEH) H1 2026 earnings summary

Executive summary

• Strong half-year results for FY 2026, with robust revenue and earnings growth driven by new attractions, increased marketing, and improved trading conditions, surpassing pre-pandemic and previous peak levels.

• Ticket sales value rose 46.6% year-over-year, with total visitation up 44.4% and record daily attendance at Dreamworld.

• Net profit after tax was $3.2 million, slightly up from the prior period, despite the absence of $5.4 million in one-off insurance income received last year.

• Major new attractions like King Claw and partnerships, including with the Australian Olympic Committee and Australian Geographic, boosted engagement and brand visibility.

• No interim dividend was declared for the half year.

Financial highlights

• Operating revenue rose 30.2% year-over-year to $62.2 million, driven by a 47% increase in ticket sales and 44% higher visitation, surpassing FY 2016 and pre-pandemic levels.

• Theme Parks & Attractions EBITDA (excluding specific items) increased 169% to $11.2 million, surpassing the full-year FY 2025 result.

• Consolidated EBITDA (excluding specific items) was $8.7 million, up 368% year-over-year.

• Deferred revenue from annual passes increased 43% to $21.8 million.

• Cash balance at period end was $37.6 million, with no drawn debt and a renewed $20 million undrawn facility.

Outlook and guidance

• Positive momentum expected to continue, with January YTD ticket sales up 36% and visitation up 32%, though growth rates may moderate as the business cycles strong prior-year comparatives.

• Strong fundamentals, high deferred revenue, and a robust annual pass base support recurring revenue into the second half.

• Continued recovery in international visitation anticipated to provide further upside.

• Management remains cautious given challenging discretionary spending conditions but sees no major concerns in leading indicators.