Sydney, March 2, 2026, 18:03 AEDT — Market closed.
Woolworths Group Ltd closed out Monday with shares gaining roughly 1.9%, finishing at A$36.68. The stock moved within a range from A$35.75 to A$36.68.
Investors continue to watch the supermarket operator ahead of a dividend reset and a busy stretch of economic releases that could shift views on consumer spending. Woolworths recently saw a sharp re-rating, after highlighting improved trading momentum in its core Australian food segment.
Woolworths filed its usual post-close paperwork with the ASX: an Appendix 3X covering new non-executive director Jon Alferness, plus a pair of Appendix 3Y updates related to the equity arrangements for non-executive directors.
Appendix 3X and Appendix 3Y, both standard ASX forms for reporting directors’ interests in company securities, typically don’t move the stock by themselves. Still, these filings highlight an ongoing board shakeup, part of a wider effort to sharpen execution.
Back in January, Woolworths announced Alferness would come on board starting March 1, pending required approvals. Alferness previously held top positions at Walmart, Google, and Lyft. Chair Scott Perkins described the board as “delighted” at the chance to bring in experience across “digital, media and eCommerce.” Woolworths Group
Woolworths posted a 16.4% jump in net profit after tax before significant items, reaching A$859 million in its half-year report. The board declared a fully franked interim dividend of 45 Australian cents a share. For the first seven weeks of the new half, the company described Australian Food trading as “strong,” logging Woolworths Food Retail sales growth of 5.8%. Management expects Australian Food earnings growth to finish toward the higher end of its “mid-to-high single digit” target.
During last week’s results call, CEO Amanda Bardwell described it as “a very promotionally intense period,” adding, “customers want value but they also want reliable value.” Ord Minnett analysts see the revised outlook as “still appears conservative.” For Michael Toner of RBC Capital Markets, Australian food sales growth was “the strongest number we have seen in some time.” Reuters
That optimism is starting to show some cracks at the edges. On Monday, broker Ord Minnett cut its rating on Woolworths to Accumulate from Buy, FNArena’s broker call tally shows.
According to a filing, the interim dividend goes ex-dividend on March 4, ahead of a record date set for March 5. Payment lands April 2. Investors buying shares from the ex-dividend date onward won’t pick up the upcoming payout—share prices typically drop by about the dividend amount.
Woolworths shares moved counter to the general direction of the market. The ASX 200 notched a tiny advance, but that was enough to land another record close on Monday.
The dividend aside, investors are watching for macro data this week that could move the rates outlook—and with it, consumer mood. Australia’s building approvals land Tuesday, followed by December-quarter GDP on Wednesday. U.S. payrolls round out the week, according to the latest economic calendar.
Everything still swings on rates. The ASX’s RBA rate tracker pegs the next Reserve Bank cash-rate call for March 17.
Still, Woolworths is now back in territory where even a minor slip could sting. Step up the grocery price war, add some margin squeeze from aggressive promotions, or see consumers pull back—and suddenly, there’s not much cushion left for error.
Woolworths will trade ex-dividend on Wednesday. Also that morning at 11:30 a.m. AEDT, the Australian Bureau of Statistics is set to release the December-quarter national accounts.
