Sydney, Feb 3, 2026, 17:43 (AEDT) — After-hours
- Woodside shares ended 0.6% higher at A$25.06, bouncing back after a 1.8% fall on Monday
- Oil slipped further as traders factored in hints of a U.S.-Iran thaw alongside a stronger dollar
- Australia’s central bank hiked rates; Woodside set to report earnings on Feb. 24
Woodside Energy Group Ltd shares climbed 0.6% on Tuesday, closing at A$25.06 after slipping 1.8% the previous day. The stock fluctuated between A$24.65 and A$25.16, with roughly 3.6 million shares traded. (Investing)
The shift is minor, yet the timing is key. Woodside finds itself caught between oil, LNG — liquefied natural gas — and Australia’s newly tougher rate environment, just ahead of its annual results later this month.
The Reserve Bank of Australia raised its cash rate by 25 basis points, pushing it to 3.85%—its first hike in two years—citing inflation that is expected to stay above target for a while. (Reuters)
Oil prices dipped for a second day as hopes of a U.S.-Iran thaw chipped away at the geopolitical risk premium. Brent slipped to around $65.91 a barrel, with U.S. WTI down to $61.83. “The sharp up-and-down moves look more like sentiment-driven trading,” said Priyanka Sachdeva at Phillip Nova, referencing Donald Trump’s comments that Iran was “seriously talking” with Washington and that talks would resume Friday in Turkey. (Reuters)
Australian shares climbed, led by the S&P/ASX 200 which rose 0.89%, as more stocks gained than fell during the session, data from Investing.com showed. (Investing)
Not all energy stocks followed the rally. Santos slipped roughly 0.4%, closing at A$6.75. (Twelve Data)
Woodside’s calendar is filling up fast. The latest quarterly report highlighted a record 2025 production forecast of 198.8 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe), the standard measure combining oil and gas. For 2026, it guided between 172 and 186 million boe, factoring in a planned five-week turnaround for Pluto LNG Train 1 in Q2. The Scarborough project hit 94% completion by year-end and aims for first LNG shipments in Q4 2026. Acting CEO Liz Westcott said the company is “looking forward to first LNG from Scarborough in the fourth quarter of this year” and scheduled the annual results briefing for Feb. 24. (ASX Announcements)
Traders now wonder if Tuesday’s rebound will stick if crude prices remain weak. Woodside often moves like a macro proxy in situations like this, though project execution and costs tend to steal the spotlight.
But leverage cuts both ways. A sustained drop in oil or LNG prices would hit earnings and cash flow hard, casting doubt on payouts. Meanwhile, any delays or cost overruns at Scarborough — or unexpected shutdowns at Pluto — would also be damaging.
Before Wednesday’s session, the focus remains on crude prices, how the Australian dollar responds to the RBA move, and any new developments in U.S.-Iran talks. Woodside’s next major event is set for Feb. 24, when it will release its annual report and update investors on guidance, capital expenditure, and dividends.
