Woolworths Lifts Underlying Profit but Takes $710m Payroll Hit in Half-Year

An update from Woolworths Group Ltd ( (AU:WOW) ) is now available.

Woolworths Group has reported its half-year results to 4 January 2026, posting revenue of $37.1 billion, up 3.4%, while profit attributable to equity holders before significant items rose 16.4% to $859 million. Statutory profit fell 49.4% to $374 million, largely due to a $710 million payroll remediation provision related to award-covered salaried store team leaders.

The board declared a fully franked 2026 interim dividend of 45 cents per share, matching the prior final dividend and implying an anticipated payout of $550 million, with the dividend reinvestment plan remaining active and unfettered by discounts or caps. Net tangible assets per share declined to 6.2 cents from 24.8 cents a year earlier, and the group added two new Australian subsidiaries during the period, reflecting ongoing corporate structuring amid the financial impact of remediation.

The most recent analyst rating on (AU:WOW) stock is a Hold with a A$33.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Woolworths Group Ltd stock, see the AU:WOW Stock Forecast page.

More about Woolworths Group Ltd

Woolworths Group Limited is a major Australian retail group headquartered in Bella Vista, NSW, operating primarily in supermarkets and everyday consumer goods. The company serves a broad national customer base and is a key player on the Australian Securities Exchange, with a large shareholder register supported by an active dividend reinvestment plan.

Average Trading Volume: 2,406,803

Technical Sentiment Signal: Strong Buy

Current Market Cap: A$38.85B

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