About Santos Limited (STO)
Santos Limited is a Oil & Gas E&P company operating in the Energy sector. The company is headquartered in Adelaide, Australia. STO has been publicly traded since 1988, giving it 38+ years of trading history.
Santos Limited (STO) has been publicly traded since 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company. It operates in the Oil & Gas E&P industry within the Energy sector. The company is headquartered in Adelaide, Australia and employs approximately 4,028 people. With a market capitalization of A$24 billion, STO is a large established company.
STO trades on the Australian Securities Exchange and is classified as a large-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately A$24 billion. The company employs approximately 4,028 people worldwide.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- A$7.53
- Market Cap
- A$24.46B
- 52-Week High
- A$8.06
- 52-Week Low
- A$5.20
- Sector
- Energy
- Industry
- Oil & Gas E&P
STO Investment Performance
STO has gained 24.7% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a A$1,000 investment in STO would have grown to A$1,333, representing a 33.3% total return. Since its IPO in 1988, a A$1,000 investment would now be worth A$13,085.
A$1,000 Invested in Santos Limited (STO)
How much would A$1,000 invested in STO be worth today?
What would A$1,000 invested in STO 1 year ago be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Santos Limited (STO) in 2025 would be worth A$1,185 as of March 2026, representing a +18.5% total return.
What would A$1,000 invested in STO 3 years ago be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Santos Limited (STO) in 2023 would be worth A$1,271 as of March 2026, representing a +27.1% total return.
What would A$1,000 invested in STO 5 years ago be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Santos Limited (STO) in 2021 would be worth A$1,333 as of March 2026, representing a +33.3% total return.
What would A$1,000 invested in STO 10 years ago be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Santos Limited (STO) in 2016 would be worth A$2,485 as of March 2026, representing a +148.5% total return.
What would A$1,000 invested in STO at IPO be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Santos Limited (STO) at IPO would be worth A$13,085 as of March 2026, representing a +1208.5% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 38+ years (458 months), Santos Limited (STO) has averaged a monthly return of +0.95% with a median return of +0.43%. The stock had 240 positive months (52%) and 214 negative months (47%). The best month in STO's history was October 2015 with a +46.7% return, while the worst was March 2020 at -49.9%. Historically, April tends to be the strongest month (averaging +4.2%), and November the weakest (-1.6%).
STO's longest winning streak was 8 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 6 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 1993 with a cumulative return of +48.7%, and the worst was 2014 at -49.0%.
Annual Returns
Over 38 years of trading history, Santos Limited (STO) has delivered an average annual return of +10.15% with a median return of +8.43%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +7.03%. The stock posted gains in 25 years (66%) and losses in 13 years (34%).
STO's best year was 1993 with a +57.40% gain, while the worst was 2015 at -46.19%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 7, and the longest losing streak was 3 years. STO achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 18 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 6 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +24.66% | A$6.04 | A$7.53 |
| 2025 | -2.86% | A$6.22 | A$6.04 |
| 2024 | -6.38% | A$6.64 | A$6.22 |
| 2023 | +11.89% | A$5.94 | A$6.64 |
| 2022 | +16.79% | A$5.08 | A$5.94 |
| 2021 | +2.91% | A$4.94 | A$5.08 |
| 2020 | -22.19% | A$6.35 | A$4.94 |
| 2019 | +53.04% | A$4.15 | A$6.35 |
| 2018 | +1.26% | A$4.10 | A$4.15 |
| 2017 | +35.57% | A$3.02 | A$4.10 |
| 2016 | +10.89% | A$2.72 | A$3.02 |
| 2015 | -46.19% | A$5.06 | A$2.72 |
| 2014 | -42.23% | A$8.76 | A$5.06 |
| 2013 | +34.66% | A$6.51 | A$8.76 |
| 2012 | -7.20% | A$7.01 | A$6.51 |
| 2011 | -4.72% | A$7.36 | A$7.01 |
| 2010 | -3.81% | A$7.65 | A$7.36 |
| 2009 | +14.34% | A$6.69 | A$7.65 |
| 2008 | +8.33% | A$6.18 | A$6.69 |
| 2007 | +48.29% | A$4.16 | A$6.18 |
| 2006 | -16.57% | A$4.99 | A$4.16 |
| 2005 | +49.75% | A$3.33 | A$4.99 |
| 2004 | +29.42% | A$2.58 | A$3.33 |
| 2003 | +20.26% | A$2.14 | A$2.58 |
| 2002 | +1.95% | A$2.10 | A$2.14 |
| 2001 | +8.53% | A$1.94 | A$2.10 |
| 2000 | +53.98% | A$1.26 | A$1.94 |
| 1999 | +0.11% | A$1.26 | A$1.26 |
| 1998 | -27.20% | A$1.72 | A$1.26 |
| 1997 | +29.42% | A$1.33 | A$1.72 |
| 1996 | +33.66% | A$1.00 | A$1.33 |
| 1995 | +19.88% | A$0.83 | A$1.00 |
| 1994 | -6.05% | A$0.89 | A$0.83 |
| 1993 | +57.40% | A$0.56 | A$0.89 |
| 1992 | -6.03% | A$0.60 | A$0.56 |
| 1991 | -20.87% | A$0.76 | A$0.60 |
| 1990 | +4.53% | A$0.72 | A$0.76 |
| 1989 | +26.36% | A$0.57 | A$0.72 |
STO Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends
Key factors to consider when evaluating Santos Limited as an investment
Valuation
STO currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 21.5, which is considered moderate relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 12.7 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 1.1. The price-to-sales ratio is 5.0.
Dividends
Santos Limited pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 4.63%. This translates to A$0.35 per share annually. The payout ratio of 93% indicates high dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
STO has a beta of 0.05, indicating it is less volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is A$5.20 to A$8.06, and it currently trades near its 52-week high.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 13 analyst opinions, STO has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target of A$8.11 suggests 7.7% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions: STO
What sector is STO in? ▼
STO operates in the Energy sector, specifically in the Oil & Gas E&P industry.
How has STO performed historically? ▼
Over 38 years of trading history, STO has posted gains in 25 years (66% of the time). The best year was 1993 with a +57.4% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in STO? ▼
You can invest in STO through any brokerage account that offers access to the Australian Securities Exchange. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold STO.
Does STO pay dividends? ▼
Santos Limited pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 4.63%. This translates to A$0.35 per share annually. The payout ratio of 93% indicates high dividend coverage.
What does Santos Limited do? ▼
Santos Limited is a Oil & Gas E&P company operating in the Energy sector. The company is headquartered in Adelaide, Australia.
What sector is STO in? ▼
STO operates in the Energy sector, specifically in the Oil & Gas E&P industry.
When did STO go public? ▼
Santos Limited went public in 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would A$1,000 invested in STO 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A A$1,000 investment in STO five years ago would be worth approximately A$1,333 today, representing a 33.3% return.
How much would A$1,000 invested in STO 10 years ago be worth today? ▼
A A$1,000 investment in STO ten years ago would be worth approximately A$2,485 today, representing a 148.5% total return over the decade.
What is STO's 3-year return? ▼
Over the past 3 years, STO has returned 27.1%. A A$1,000 investment would have grown to A$1,271.
How much would A$1,000 invested in STO at IPO be worth today? ▼
If you invested A$1,000 in STO at its IPO in 1988, it would be worth approximately A$13,085 today, a 1,208.5% return over 38 years.
Does STO pay dividends? ▼
Yes, Santos Limited pays a dividend with a current yield of 4.63%, which is A$0.35 per share annually.
What is STO's market cap? ▼
Santos Limited has a market capitalization of A$24 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.
What is STO's P/E ratio? ▼
STO has a trailing P/E ratio of 21.5 and a forward P/E of 12.7, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is STO a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 13 opinions, STO has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target is A$8.11.
Last updated: 3/15/2026