Skip to main content

Earnings in focus – Key insights and market implications

Phillip Hudak | Co-Portfolio Manager, Australian Small Companies

by Phillip Hudak

Co-Portfolio Manager, Australian Small Companies

Co-Portfolio Manager, Australian Small Companies

by Matt Griffin

Co-Portfolio Manager, Australian Small Companies

Video 11 Sep 2025

Phillip Hudak, CFA and Matt Griffin unpack the key takeaways from this reporting season with Morningstar Australia’s Eva Cook.

In this 45-minute webinar, they cover:

  • Market context: Positioning and expectations heading into reporting season.
  • Earnings outcomes: Broad takeaways and key deviations from consensus.
    Company-level insights: Standout large- and small-cap names and sector themes.
  • Forward view: Implications for portfolio positioning, sector allocation, and stock selection.
  • Interactive Q&A: Opportunity to have your questions addressed by our speakers.

 

Morningstar Earnings in Focus

Watch here

 

 

Disclaimer
This presentation is prepared and issued by Maple-Brown Abbott Limited ABN 73 001 208 564, AFSL 237296 (‘MBA’) as the Responsible Entity of the MBA Australian Small Companies Fund (ARSN 658 552 688) (‘the Fund’). This presentation contains general information only, and does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation or specific needs. Before making any investment decision, you should seek independent financial advice. This presentation does not constitute an offer or solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Neither MBA, nor any of its related parties, directors or employees, make any representation or give any guarantee as to the return of capital, performance, any specific rate of return, or the taxation consequences of, any investment. Any views expressed on individual stocks or other investments, or any forecasts or estimates, are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold, they are point in time views and may be based on certain assumptions and qualifications not set out in part or in full in this document. Individual stocks referred to may or may not be currently held by the Fund. Information derived from sources is believed to be accurate, however such information has not been independently verified and may be subject to assumptions and qualifications not described in this document. To the extent permitted by law, neither MBA, nor any of its related parties, directors or employees, make any representation or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, reasonableness or reliability of this information, or accept liability or responsibility for any losses, whether direct, indirect or consequential, relating to, or arising from, the use or reliance on this information. Before making a decision whether to acquire, or to continue to hold an investment in the Funds, investors should obtain and consider the current PDS and Target Market Determination (TMD) or any other relevant disclosure document. For the Fund, the PDS, AIB and TMD are available at maple-brownabbott.com/document-library or by calling 1300 097 995. This information is current as of 11 September 2025 and is subject to change at any time without notice. © 2025 Maple-Brown Abbott Limited.
© 2025 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither Morningstar, its affiliates, nor the content providers guarantee the data or content contained herein to be accurate, complete or timely nor will they have any liability for its use or distribution. This report has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892) and/or New Zealand wholesale clients of Morningstar Research Ltd, subsidiaries of Morningstar, Inc. Any general advice has been provided without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Our publications, ratings and products should be viewed as an additional investment resource, not as your sole source of information. Morningstar’s full research reports are the source of any Morningstar Ratings and are available from Morningstar or your adviser. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a financial adviser. Some material is copyright and published under licence from ASX Operations Pty Ltd ACN 004 523 782.

Phillip Hudak
Co-Portfolio Manager, Australian Small Companies

Phillip Hudak | Co-Portfolio Manager, Australian Small Companies
Co-Portfolio Manager, Australian Small Companies

Phillip Hudak

BBus, CFAPhillip Hudak joined Maple-Brown Abbott in April 2022 as Co-Portfolio Manager for Australian Small Companies, bringing over 24 years’ investment experience, with 15 years dedicated to Australian small cap equity portfolio management and fundamental stock research. In his current role, Phillip is responsible for leading the Australian small companies equity business, focusing on medium-term earnings delivery combined with a differentiated market-leading sustainability framework which is designed to outperform in most market environments.Before joining Maple-Brown Abbott, Phillip worked as Co-Portfolio Manager on the AMP Capital Australian Emerging Companies Fund for nine years. Prior to that, he was a small companies analyst at ING Investment Management, analyst at MIR Investment Management and an investment consultant with Russell Investment Group.

Phillip

Phillip Hudak
Co-Portfolio Manager, Australian Small Companies

Co-Portfolio Manager, Australian Small Companies
Co-Portfolio Manager, Australian Small Companies

Matt Griffin

BComMatt Griffin joined Maple-Brown Abbott in April 2022 as Co-Portfolio Manager for Australian Small Companies, bringing 17 years’ investment experience in Australian small cap equity portfolio management and fundamental stock research. In his current role, he is responsible for leading the Australian small companies equity business, focusing on medium-term earnings delivery combined with a differentiated market-leading sustainability framework which is designed to outperform in most market environments.Before joining Maple-Brown Abbott, Matt worked as Co-Portfolio Manager on the AMP Capital Australian Emerging Companies strategy for four years. Prior to that, he was Investment Director at IFM Investors, where he was integral to the launch of the IFM Australia small caps and micro caps strategy, and a small companies analyst at Macquarie Asset Management.

Matt

Interested in investing with us?

Investment Insights

Article 28 Jan 2026

Inside knowledge: why CEOs selling shares is a potential warning signal

Insider trading often draws investor attention, but interpreting these moves isn’t always straightforward. Insider buying is generally seen as a vote of confidence, while selling is more ambiguous. Large, non-routine, and coordinated sales can signal caution, yet many disposals are driven by personal reasons like tax obligations or portfolio diversification. Studies show insider selling can precede weaker returns, especially when multiple insiders sell significant stakes. Routine or small trades, however, usually carry little weight. For investors, context is key - size, timing, and intent matter. Insider activity should therefore prompt deeper due diligence, rather than be an automatic verdict on a company’s outlook.
Article 14 Jan 2026

The UK water sector: affordability and environmental performance

The UK water sector faces a critical challenge: reversing decades of underinvestment while managing customer affordability. For our holdings United Utilities and Severn Trent, the path forward requires simultaneously addressing environmental degradation and keeping bills manageable during a cost-of-living crisis. This article examines how both companies are navigating this transformation as the sector enters AMP8 (2025-30) with significantly larger capital programmes and intensifying regulatory scrutiny.
Article 13 Jan 2026

Essential networks: The infrastructure investment case for 2026

We enter 2026 with investment optimism. While growth risks linger and inflation remains sticky, these conditions historically favour infrastructure assets. At the same time, powerful secular trends, decarbonisation and digitalisation, are creating significant opportunities across the sector. Valuations for listed infrastructure look fair on an absolute basis and attractive relative to broader equity markets and private transactions. Our focus remains on actively managing a portfolio of high quality infrastructure assets with high barriers to entry and strong strategic positions, delivering inflation-linked cash flows and attractive risk-adjusted returns through the economic cycle.
Article 6 Jan 2026

Australian small caps – Momentum meets earnings growth in 2026

The 2025 calendar year marked a decisive breakout for Australian small caps – can this momentum extend into 2026? Market earnings growth forecasts favour small caps over large caps across FY26–FY27. The recovery cycle also appears to have further room to run, with historical trough-to-peak comparisons pointing to additional upside in both duration and magnitude. Adding to this strength is an emerging resources renaissance at the smaller end of the market, where companies offer diversity of commodity and greater exposure to both gold and high-growth emerging thematics, including electrification and the energy transition.

Subscribe to receive Investment Insights