SYDNEY — Shares in Eagers Automotive Ltd climbed 5.27 percent on Wednesday to close at $23.78, gaining $1.19, as investors responded to the company's expanded international footprint and signs of resilient domestic demand in the automotive retail sector.

The move lifted the stock amid a broader backdrop of strategic growth following the completion of a major Canadian investment earlier this year and management comments pointing to potential record results for the full year. Eagers Automotive, Australia's largest pure-play automotive retailer by network scale, operates more than 250 locations across Australia and New Zealand and represents a wide portfolio of brands spanning volume, luxury and commercial vehicles.

The company reported record full-year revenue of $13.0 billion for the 12 months ended Dec. 31, 2025, an increase of 16.5 percent from the prior year. That figure included like-for-like growth of 12.6 percent. Underlying EBITDAI reached $620.9 million, while underlying operating profit before tax stood at $424.1 million. Statutory profit before tax was $393.7 million. The board declared a final fully franked dividend of 50 cents per share, maintaining a full-year payout of 74 cents per share, consistent with the previous record levels.

In October 2025, Eagers announced a strategic investment of approximately $1.043 billion to acquire a 65 percent stake in CanadaOne Auto, one of Canada's largest dealership groups. The transaction was completed effective April 30, 2026. On a pro forma basis using 2025 figures, the combined group would generate about $18.7 billion in revenue, nearly $1 billion in adjusted EBITDA and $672 million in profit before tax.

"Completion of the strategic investment in CanadaOne is a defining milestone for Eagers Automotive and the beginning of an exciting new chapter for both companies," Chief Executive Keith........

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