Austal (ASX: ASB)Share Price and News
About Austal
Austal is a leading Australian company involved in the design and construction of advanced vessels, including defence and commercial ships.
Austal has a global presence with shipbuilding and support facilities in the United States, the Philippines, and other international locations. The company specialises in aluminium-hull vessels and offers a range of services from initial design to construction and in-service support.
Austal recorded $1.5bn in revenue, $56.5m in EBIT and a profit of $14.9m during FY24. At the time, it told investors it had a record order book of $12.7bn with a 10-year horizon. This grew to $14.2bn by the time of its 1H25 results. The company has 51 ships under construction right now and employs over 4,000 people.
Austal Company History
Founded in 1988, Austal began as a small shipbuilder focused on producing aluminium vessels. The company expanded rapidly in the 1990s, securing contracts with major defence agencies, including the U.S. Navy.
Key milestones in its history include the opening of its U.S. shipbuilding facility in Mobile, Alabama, in 1999, and its public listing on the Australian Securities Exchange in 2004.
Over the years, Austal has built a reputation for its innovative designs and capabilities, particularly in fast ferries, naval ships, and other advanced vessels. In recent years, Austal has successfully broadened its global footprint, securing major contracts with governments and expanding its capabilities in the defence sector.
In the last 12 months, it has been very resilient to the rest of the market due to its exposure to rising defence spending and its immunity to Trump's tariffs because it has a factory in Alabama.
Future Outlook of Austal (ASX: ASB)
Austal's future outlook remains optimistic, driven by its strong order book, global diversification, and growing demand for both defence and commercial vessels. Financially, Austal reported strong revenue growth of 15.1% in the first half of FY25 compared to the same period last year, although it had experienced revenue and earnings fluctuations in previous years. In particular, its expanding U.S. operations and international presence in defence markets position it well for future growth.
Investors fear that Trump’s tariffs could shut out companies from the US market that manufacture outside the US and import goods into the country.
This shouldn’t impact Austal given it manufactures in America and it is building up its base in Alabama to cater for new contracts – this facility will be operational in FY26 and completed in FY27 if all goes to plan. There is reason for concern about Trump’s tariffs causing a recession in many economies, but this shouldn’t affect defence spending, and in turn not affect Austal.
Is Austal (ASB) a Good Stock to Buy?
Austal (ASB) offers a compelling investment opportunity, particularly for those looking to invest in the defence and shipbuilding sectors. The stock is trading at attractive multiples, and the company's expanding global presence positions it for long-term growth. Austal has demonstrated strong financial performance, with robust revenue and earnings growth, making it an appealing choice for investors looking to gain exposure to the defence industry.
The stock does carry some risks, including exposure to fluctuations in government defence budgets and the cyclical nature of the commercial shipbuilding market. However, analyst sentiment toward Austal's long-term prospects is cautiously optimistic, with forecasts projecting 10.5% annual revenue growth and 20% earnings growth, though analyst coverage remains relatively limited.
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Frequently Asked Questions
As of April 2025, Austal has a trailing twelve-month dividend yield of 0.00%. The company's last dividend payment was $0.03 per share in October 2023. Dividend payouts may be impacted by operational requirements and reinvestment into growth initiatives.