Purple Group Limited has released its unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial results for the six months ended 28 February 2026, showcasing a period of significant growth and the successful realisation of operating leverage across its operations.
The Group reported an 8.8% increase in revenue to R258.5 million, while operating expenses remained nearly flat, increasing by only 0.5% to R161.1 million. This disciplined cost management, combined with strong revenue growth, resulted in a 33.3% surge in profit before tax to R78.7 million. Group basic and headline earnings per share rose by 21.0% to 2.86 cents.
EasyEquities: The growth engine
The Group's star performer, EasyGroup, which incorporates EasyEquities, continues to demonstrate the power of its platform. EasyGroup revenue grew by 18.5% to R256.5 million, while its profit before tax jumped by a remarkable 66.3% to R90.5 million.
Key metrics highlighting the platform's expanding reach include active clients increasing by 21.9% to over 1.24 million and client assets growing by 41.2% to R94.93 billion. Retail inflows surged by 51.0% to R8.02 billion, while retail revenue increased by 28.7% to R189.1 million.
CEO Charles Savage noted that the company is now reaping the rewards of years of platform building, stating that operating leverage is no longer just a theory but a visible reality. He pointed out that revenue is now growing eleven times faster than costs, driven by a strategy that acquires clients efficiently and deepens engagement year after year.
Expansion and innovation
The reporting period saw several strategic milestones that point toward a diversified future. EasyRetire has emerged as a standout, with assets reaching R2.1 billion, representing a 97% increase in the last year. The Group also celebrated the launch of ZARU, South Africa's first institutional-grade rand-backed stablecoin, in collaboration with Luno, Sanlam, and other partners.
Expansion into the Philippines is now live with a regulated sandbox and early users transacting, with a long-term target of 500,000 active users by the end of 2027. Furthermore, the Group is in the final stages of acquiring an AI technology business to further accelerate productivity and personalise the user journey, having already seen significant productivity improvements where AI has been adopted.
Navigating challenges
While the core business flourished, the Group's EasyTrader segment faced a temporary setback. An unusual market condition broke correlation assumptions within its hedging model, resulting in a net hedging loss of R21.3 million. However, the Group confirmed that the financial impact is isolated and has been resolved, with revenue having since normalised to run-rate levels.
Outlook: Building momentum
Despite a more volatile global environment and shifting interest rate sentiments, Purple Group remains optimistic about the second half of the year. The company is focused on its Platform Experience and Client Service mandates, aiming to deliver a seamless experience for its growing user base.
The Group's net asset value per share increased by 14.9% to 52.10 cents, reflecting a solid financial foundation as it continues its mission to democratise investing for all. Savage concluded that the Group enters the second half with momentum, discipline, and a clear direction.