--- title: "ANZ Group Holdings (ASX:ANZ) Margin Compression Puts Bullish Narratives To The Test" type: "News" locale: "en" url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/284882178.md" description: "ANZ Group Holdings (ASX:ANZ) reported H1 2026 revenue of A$10.7 billion and basic EPS of A$0.76, down from A$1.98 EPS the previous year. The net profit margin decreased to 27.4% from 32.1%. Analysts are assessing the impact of margin pressure against growth prospects, particularly following the Suncorp Bank acquisition. While bulls anticipate cost savings and efficiency gains, bears express concerns over rising non-performing loans and credit risk. ANZ's P/E ratio is 18.2x, slightly below peers, with a DCF fair value of A$40.80 compared to a current share price of A$35.61." datetime: "2026-05-01T09:55:43.000Z" locales: - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/284882178.md) - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/284882178.md) - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/284882178.md) generator: "portal-rs" --- # ANZ Group Holdings (ASX:ANZ) Margin Compression Puts Bullish Narratives To The Test ANZ Group Holdings (ASX:ANZ) has put fresh numbers on the table for H1 2026, with total revenue for the most recent half year at A$10.7 billion and basic EPS at A$0.76, set against trailing 12 month revenue of A$21.5 billion and EPS of A$1.98. Over recent halves, the bank has seen revenue move from A$10.1 billion in H2 2024 to A$11.0 billion in H1 2025 and A$10.7 billion in H2 2025, while basic EPS shifted from A$1.04 to A$1.23 and then A$0.76. This gives a clear view of how the top line and per share earnings have tracked into this result. With net profit margin over the last year at 27.4% versus 32.1% the year before, the focus now turns to how investors weigh that margin pressure against the bank's forward growth profile. See our full analysis for ANZ Group Holdings. With the headline figures on the table, the next step is to see how these results line up with the prevailing bull, bear and consensus narratives that have been building around ANZ over the past year. See what the community is saying about ANZ Group Holdings ASX:ANZ Revenue & Expenses Breakdown as at May 2026 ## Margin pressure and costs in focus - Over the trailing 12 months, ANZ’s net profit margin is 27.4% compared with 32.1% the year before, while the cost to income ratio over the last reported period is 58.8% versus 52.2% in the prior half year where it was disclosed. - Consensus narrative expects efficiency gains from the Suncorp Bank acquisition and the shift to a lower cost dual platform to support margins, yet the recent rise in the cost to income ratio and the current margin level give a clear reference point for how much operating leverage those initiatives would need to offset. - Supporters of the bullish view point to projected synergies from Suncorp and the planned decommissioning of legacy systems from 2026 to 2028 as potential cost savings drivers, while the move from a cost to income ratio of 52.2% to 58.8% in the latest disclosed periods shows that technology and integration spending are currently weighing on efficiency. - At the same time, consensus commentary highlights expectations for improved net margins over time as digital and AI driven platforms scale, which sits against the reported step down in net profit margin from 32.1% to 27.4% and gives investors a concrete benchmark to test whether those future margin goals are being met. Bulls argue that the real test for these margin numbers will be how quickly ANZ converts its platform plans and Suncorp integration into tangible cost savings and profitability gains, and that is exactly what the detailed bull case narrative unpacks in more depth. **🐂 ANZ Group Holdings Bull Case** ## Loan book growth and credit quality - Total loans reported in recent halves sit at A$803.3b in H2 2024, A$820.2b in H1 2025 and A$829.5b in H2 2025, while non performing loans over those same periods are A$1.7b, A$2.3b and A$2.5b respectively. - Consensus narrative frames the Suncorp acquisition and focus on Queensland as a way to build scale in lending, and these loan and non performing loan figures give a useful check on that story by showing both growing exposure and the level of stressed loans attached to it. - Supportive readers of the bullish case point to expected larger and earlier synergies from Suncorp as a growth driver for the loan book, and the step up from A$803.3b to A$829.5b across the last three reported halves illustrates that ANZ is already operating with a very large lending base that could benefit from any efficiency gains. - On the cautious side, bears focus on credit risk and regulatory scrutiny, and the movement in non performing loans from A$1.7b to A$2.5b over the same sequence of halves offers a concrete series for assessing how credit quality trends against any future macro or regulatory changes mentioned in the risk list. ## Mixed signals from growth and valuation - Earnings are forecast to grow about 9.6% per year with revenue at about 4.5% per year, while ANZ trades on a trailing P/E of 18.2x versus domestic peers at 18.6x and the Global Banks industry at 10.9x, and a DCF fair value of A$40.80 compares with a current share price of A$35.61 and an analyst consensus price target of A$36.34. - Analysts’ consensus view links expected earnings growth and digital initiatives to that valuation mix, so the combination of a P/E slightly below peers, a premium to the wider banking group and a share price that sits below both the DCF fair value and the consensus target creates a clear set of checkpoints for how the story is priced. - Supporters of the bullish angle highlight that the DCF fair value of A$40.80 is around A$5 above the current A$35.61 share price and that earnings forecasts of about 9.6% per year sit alongside high assessed earnings quality, which some investors may see as support for the case that the current price leaves room if those forecasts are met. - More cautious readers point out that ANZ’s 18.2x P/E is still materially higher than the Global Banks average of 10.9x and that dividend history is flagged as unstable, which aligns with the idea in the consensus narrative that higher technology and regulatory costs or slower than expected growth could make that premium harder to justify. If you want to see how different investors connect these earnings, forecasts and valuation checks into a full story, it is worth reading the detailed community narrative that pulls the numbers together in one place. **📊 Read the what the Community is saying about ANZ Group Holdings.** ## Next Steps To see how these results tie into long-term growth, risks, and valuation, check out the full range of community narratives for ANZ Group Holdings on Simply Wall St. Add the company to your watchlist or portfolio so you'll be alerted when the story evolves. With this mix of risks and rewards on the table, the key question is how it all stacks up for you right now. Take a closer look at the data, weigh it against your own expectations, and use the full breakdown of 2 key rewards and 1 important warning sign. ## See What Else Is Out There ANZ is working through higher costs, a lower net profit margin and flagged dividend instability, which can make its current premium P/E feel less comfortable. If those pressures leave you wanting steadier income, it is worth checking the 6 dividend fortresses today to find companies built around more consistent payouts and yields. *This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. **We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice.** It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.* ### **New:** Manage All Your Stock Portfolios in One Place We've created the **ultimate portfolio companion** for stock investors, **and it's free.** • Connect an unlimited number of Portfolios and see your total in one currency • Be alerted to new Warning Signs or Risks via email or mobile • Track the Fair Value of your stocks Try a Demo Portfolio for Free ### Related Stocks - [ANZ.AU](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/ANZ.AU.md) - [ANZGY.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/ANZGY.US.md) - [SUN.AU](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/SUN.AU.md) - [SUNPH.AU](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/SUNPH.AU.md) ## Related News & Research - [ANZ names Sandro Bucchianeri as chief information security officer](https://longbridge.com/en/news/297018082.md) - [ANZ Group Q3 Cash Profit Rises](https://longbridge.com/en/news/296018056.md) - [Northern Star Resources (ASX:NST) Posts Full Year Earnings And Guidance, Is It Getting Pricey?](https://longbridge.com/en/news/297229919.md) - [Frontier Energy Limited (FHE) Receives a Buy from Ord Minnett](https://longbridge.com/en/news/297457397.md) - [Liontown (ASX:LTR) Could Be 24% Undervalued After Full Year Profit Turnaround](https://longbridge.com/en/news/297485022.md) --- > **Disclaimer: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.**