REA Group H1 2025: Revenue Growth Underscores Outstanding Results as CEO Retires

The ASX-listed real estate giant REA Group has released its financial highlights for the first half of the 2025 financial year, with the company using the report to announce the retirement of CEO Owen Wilson.

Financial highlights include:

• HY1 revenues of A$873 million (USD 546 million) were up 20% on H1 2024
• EBITDA of $535 million (USD 334 million) was up 22% on last year
• EBITDA margin holds steady at 61%
• Net profit hits A$314 million (USD 196 million), up 26% on last year
• REA India revenues were A$64 million (USD 40 million), up 46% on last year

REA Group operates realestate.com.au, one of the world's most dominant real estate portals. A clear market leader in Australia, realestate.com.au has a history of delivering strong results and the first half of 2025 looks no different.

Owen Wilson, CEO at REA Group, said:

"Realestate.com.au is the premier destination for customers to connect with Australia’s largest audience of buyers and sellers. More people turned to our platform in the half than ever before, with 5.1 million more Australians visiting realestate.com.au every month on average compared to our nearest competitor. Our personalised consumer experiences supported a 13% year-on-year increase in our unique audience lead and helped drive exceptional year-on-year growth in the number of seller leads delivered to customers.

"REA’s exceptional first half result was driven by strong yield growth in a healthy listings environment. Vendors remained confident during the half with sales volumes consistently higher than the prior year, demonstrating the depth of demand, while buyers benefitted from more choice and some moderation in price growth."

Other financial highlights included Commercial and Developer revenue increasing 10% to A$110m for the period. Financial Services revenue increased 13% to $41m for the period, while the Group's divestment of PropertyGuru saw all external debt paid off, strengthening REA's balance sheet.

REA India—driven by real estate portal and traffic leader Housing.com and led by Dhruv Agarwala—delivered strong revenue growth, up 46% to A$64m. Revenue from adjacent services on Housing Edge increased 153%, driven by increased customer acquisition and usage. Housing.com revenue was up 15%, continuing to benefit from stronger customer events and improved monetisation in Tier 2 cities, with yield growth slowing in a competitive market.

REA India's app-first strategy continues to deliver strong results, with Housing.com‘s app sessions increasing by 37% and the share of app downloads at 54%. EBITDA losses in India are anticipated to be marginally lower in FY25 compared to FY24.

The most surprising and perhaps disappointing news out of REA Group this morning is that Wilson has announced his decision to retire imminently. He is expected to leave the Group this year after a decade at the company, serving as CEO for the past six years.

Rarely does a CEO receive such a gushing press release as Wilson, whose tenure was described as "glorious" by Group Chairman Hamish McLennan and one of "extraordinary leadership" by News Corp CEO Robert Thomson.

McLennan said:

"[Wilson's] stellar leadership leaves the company exceptionally well positioned and REA is one of the best home-grown technology companies which has flourished into being a global leader. Our board and staff sincerely thank Owen for his contribution in building an incredible organisation under his outstanding leadership."

The departing CEO commented:

"It has been a privilege to lead REA Group for the past six years and I am proud of all our team has accomplished. The business is in excellent shape as evidenced by the results we have announced today. We have an exciting strategy and a talented and committed team to deliver it. I want to thank them wholeheartedly for all the tremendous support I have received over the years. REA’s future is undeniably exciting. I would also like to thank the REA Board, Robert Thomson, and Lachlan Murdoch for entrusting me with such a great company and incredible business."