Key Takeaways
- • WAM Active Limited (ASX: WAA) delivered a record 75.5% investment portfolio return for FY2026, the strongest annual performance since the company's inception in January 2008, significantly outperforming the Bloomberg AusBond Bank Bill Index (+71.6%) and S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Accumulation Index (+69.8%).
- • The company declared increased fully franked dividends totaling 9.4 cents per share, comprising a full-year dividend of 6.4 cps and special dividend of 3.0 cps, reflecting an 8% fully franked dividend yield.
- • Portfolio outperformance was attributed to disciplined active management, strategic stock selection, and flexible investment strategy execution by Wilson Asset Management, appointed as Investment Manager in October 2024.
- • Strong FY2026 results position WAM Active for sustained shareholder returns through both capital appreciation and growing franked income streams, with dividend yield and capital performance both demonstrating institutional-grade alternative asset management execution.
Summary
WAM Active Limited has reported exceptional investment performance for the fiscal year ending 30 June 2026, delivering a 75.5% return on its investment portfolio—the highest annual result in the company's 18-year operating history since inception in January 2008. The return substantially exceeded major Australian equity and fixed-income benchmarks, outpacing the Bloomberg AusBond Bank Bill Index by 71.6 percentage points and the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Accumulation Index by 69.8 percentage points.
The board attributed this exceptional performance to three core factors: disciplined and flexible investment strategy implementation, superior stock selection capabilities, and active portfolio management execution. Chairman Geoff Wilson AO emphasized that FY2026 represented the strongest year in the company's operational history, underscoring management's commitment to delivering sustained long-term returns.
In recognition of the strong portfolio performance, WAM Active's Board declared materially increased fully franked dividends. The full-year dividend was raised to 6.4 cents per share, supplemented by special fully franked dividends totaling 3.0 cents per share, combining for 9.4 cents per share total franked distribution. These dividends imply an 8% fully franked dividend yield, providing institutional investors with meaningful tax-advantaged income alongside capital appreciation.
The exceptional FY2026 result reflects the value added since Wilson Asset Management's appointment as Investment Manager in October 2024, positioning WAM Active as a competitive alternative investment vehicle for Australian institutional investors and family offices seeking exposure to active management with high franking benefits and dividend yield characteristics.
The board attributed this exceptional performance to three core factors: disciplined and flexible investment strategy implementation, superior stock selection capabilities, and active portfolio management execution. Chairman Geoff Wilson AO emphasized that FY2026 represented the strongest year in the company's operational history, underscoring management's commitment to delivering sustained long-term returns.
In recognition of the strong portfolio performance, WAM Active's Board declared materially increased fully franked dividends. The full-year dividend was raised to 6.4 cents per share, supplemented by special fully franked dividends totaling 3.0 cents per share, combining for 9.4 cents per share total franked distribution. These dividends imply an 8% fully franked dividend yield, providing institutional investors with meaningful tax-advantaged income alongside capital appreciation.
The exceptional FY2026 result reflects the value added since Wilson Asset Management's appointment as Investment Manager in October 2024, positioning WAM Active as a competitive alternative investment vehicle for Australian institutional investors and family offices seeking exposure to active management with high franking benefits and dividend yield characteristics.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.