Highlights

  • Woolworths closed at AUD42.45 on 6 November 2026, up nearly 50% over a year.
  • FY26 sales increased 3.6% to AUD71.54 billion.
  • Higher earnings, online growth and improved BIG W trading featured in the annual result.

Woolworths Group (ASX:WOW) supplies food and everyday needs through stores and online channels in Australia and New Zealand. Shares ended 6 November 2026 at AUD42.45, rising 1.75% during the session and nearly 50% over a year. The annual share price advance accompanies an FY26 result showing stronger earnings, expanding online sales and improved profitability across several operating businesses.

Higher annual Earnings provide operating context

Woolworths Group reported sales of AUD71,539 million for the 52 weeks ended 28 June 2026, an increase of 3.6% year on year. Earnings before interest and tax, before significant items, rose 12.7% to AUD3,105 million. The stronger earnings growth than sales growth indicates that the improvement extended beyond additional revenue.

Net profit after tax before significant items increased 15.4% to AUD1,599 million. After significant items, net profit was AUD1,138 million, up 18.1%. Keeping these measures distinct is necessary because the adjusted result excludes costs or gains included in statutory profit. The difference between the two profit measures was AUD461 million in FY26.

Food and online channels contribute to growth

Australian Food remained the largest operating Business for Woolworths Group, generating FY26 sales of AUD53,852 million, up 4.6%. Segment EBIT increased 8.5%. The comparison included the effect of cycling earlier industrial action and Supply chain disruption costs, which helped the reported earnings recovery.

Group online sales reached AUD10.6 billion, an increase of 15.9%. Australian Food online sales grew 18.6%, indicating a faster expansion than the broader food business. The differing growth rates show how customer purchasing channels are changing the Revenue mix, while store operations continue to account for the larger share of sales.

New Zealand Food sales increased 2.5% in local currency and EBIT rose 8.8%. The business to business division reported sales growth of 4.2% and EBIT growth of 13%. These figures broaden the annual result beyond Australian supermarkets, although each business faces different customer and operating conditions.

Retail recovery brings value and cost priorities into focus

Woolworths Group reported EBIT of AUD116 million in its Living division, an improvement of AUD147 million. BIG W returned to profit with EBIT of AUD64 million, compared with a loss of AUD33 million. Petstock’s EBIT increased 33.5%, adding another contribution to the division’s recovery.

The group invested more than AUD100 million in lower prices during FY26 and opened 13 net new stores while renewing 67. These commitments reflect the need to balance affordability, convenience and network investment. Household budget pressure and wage costs remain relevant constraints when assessing whether earnings growth can continue.

The FY26 final Dividend was AUD0.52 per share, fully franked, taking the full year dividend to AUD0.97, up 15.5%. That distribution is a separate component of Shareholder income: the nearly 50% annual figure refers to share price appreciation, rather than a return including dividends.

Key Insights

Woolworths Group delivered an FY26 earnings recovery across food and general merchandise, with online sales growing faster than group revenue. Its annual price advance places attention on the durability of those improvements, particularly the balance between customer value, operating costs and profitability.