Australia’s Woolworths rises after special dividend, profit in line with forecast By Reuters

By Himanshi Akhand

(Reuters) – Shares of Woolworths climbed on Wednesday after the Australian grocer declared a particular dividend and in addition mentioned its full-year revenue dropped according to analysts’ forecast because it slashed shelf costs to compete with rival Coles.

Woolworths’ inventory rose as a lot as 2.3% to its highest degree in nearly six months, as of 0035 GMT.

The grocery store chain grapples with declining efficiency in key divisions amid inflation-induced margin pressures and escalating operational prices, whereas intense competitors has made it laborious for Woolworths to adapt to evolving client developments.

The corporate minimize down costs and handed on decrease prices to clients to deal with the rise in competitors and sort out cross-shopping developments.

Consequently, inflationary pressures in its meals companies and BIG W phase moderated considerably within the second half and merchandise progress slowed, resulting in cooling gross sales momentum.

The grocery store’s whole group gross sales for the yr ended June rose 3.7% on a normalised foundation to A$67.92 billion ($46.13 billion).

“Trying forward, bettering buyer scores, merchandise progress, and decrease inflation present purpose for optimism,” outgoing CEO Brad Banducci mentioned in a press release.

“Nonetheless, we additionally know that our clients stay beneath important mortgage and rent-related monetary stress and anticipate them to stay cautious with the buying and selling atmosphere anticipated to be difficult for the remainder of the monetary yr.”

Woolworths mentioned gross sales in its largest earner, Australian Meals, had been up about 3% within the first eight weeks of fiscal 2025.

“Gross sales momentum in Australian Meals has improved within the buying and selling replace with the hole to Coles largely closed. We imagine this can allay fears of a big rebase beneath the incoming CEO,” Citi analysts wrote.

The corporate posted annual underlying internet revenue after tax of A$1.71 billion for the yr, largely according to a Seen Alpha consensus estimate of A$1.72 billion.

It additionally declared a ultimate dividend of 57 Australian cents per shares, together with a particular dividend of 40 Australian cents apiece.

($1 = 1.4723 Australian {dollars})