About Wesfarmers Limited (WES)
Wesfarmers Limited is a Home Improvement Retail company operating in the Consumer Cyclical sector. The company is headquartered in Perth, Australia. WES has been publicly traded since 1988, giving it 38+ years of trading history.
Wesfarmers Limited (WES) has been publicly traded since 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company. It operates in the Home Improvement Retail industry within the Consumer Cyclical sector. The company is headquartered in Perth, Australia and employs approximately 120,000 people. With a market capitalization of A$86 billion, WES is a large established company.
WES trades on the Australian Securities Exchange and is classified as a large-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately A$86 billion. The company employs approximately 120,000 people worldwide.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- A$75.92
- Market Cap
- A$86.19B
- 52-Week High
- A$95.18
- 52-Week Low
- A$67.70
- Sector
- Consumer Cyclical
- Industry
- Home Improvement Retail
WES Investment Performance
WES has declined 5.2% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a A$1,000 investment in WES would have grown to A$1,742, representing a 74.2% total return. Since its IPO in 1988, a A$1,000 investment would now be worth A$824,822.
A$1,000 Invested in Wesfarmers Limited (WES)
How much would A$1,000 invested in WES be worth today?
What would A$1,000 invested in WES 1 year ago be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Wesfarmers Limited (WES) in 2025 would be worth A$1,081 as of March 2026, representing a +8.1% total return.
What would A$1,000 invested in WES 3 years ago be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Wesfarmers Limited (WES) in 2023 would be worth A$1,646 as of March 2026, representing a +64.6% total return.
What would A$1,000 invested in WES 5 years ago be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Wesfarmers Limited (WES) in 2021 would be worth A$1,742 as of March 2026, representing a +74.2% total return.
What would A$1,000 invested in WES 10 years ago be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Wesfarmers Limited (WES) in 2016 would be worth A$4,212 as of March 2026, representing a +321.2% total return.
What would A$1,000 invested in WES at IPO be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Wesfarmers Limited (WES) at IPO would be worth A$824,822 as of March 2026, representing a +82382.2% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 38+ years (458 months), Wesfarmers Limited (WES) has averaged a monthly return of +1.68% with a median return of +1.65%. The stock had 280 positive months (61%) and 175 negative months (38%). The best month in WES's history was February 1988 with a +25.3% return, while the worst was October 2008 at -24.6%. Historically, August tends to be the strongest month (averaging +4.2%), and October the weakest (-0.7%).
WES's longest winning streak was 9 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 8 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 2009 with a cumulative return of +74.3%, and the worst was 2008 at -63.4%.
Annual Returns
Over 38 years of trading history, Wesfarmers Limited (WES) has delivered an average annual return of +20.62% with a median return of +15.16%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +16.49%. The stock posted gains in 30 years (79%) and losses in 8 years (21%).
WES's best year was 2001 with a +100.72% gain, while the worst was 2008 at -50.55%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 10, and the longest losing streak was 1 years. WES achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 22 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 3 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | -5.20% | A$80.09 | A$75.92 |
| 2025 | +16.20% | A$68.92 | A$80.09 |
| 2024 | +29.12% | A$53.38 | A$68.92 |
| 2023 | +28.89% | A$41.41 | A$53.38 |
| 2022 | -19.64% | A$51.53 | A$41.41 |
| 2021 | +25.64% | A$41.02 | A$51.53 |
| 2020 | +26.18% | A$32.51 | A$41.02 |
| 2019 | +38.99% | A$23.39 | A$32.51 |
| 2018 | +9.01% | A$21.46 | A$23.39 |
| 2017 | +13.57% | A$18.89 | A$21.46 |
| 2016 | +7.84% | A$17.52 | A$18.89 |
| 2015 | +6.63% | A$16.43 | A$17.52 |
| 2014 | +0.94% | A$16.28 | A$16.43 |
| 2013 | +25.75% | A$12.94 | A$16.28 |
| 2012 | +34.34% | A$9.63 | A$12.94 |
| 2011 | -1.30% | A$9.76 | A$9.63 |
| 2010 | +8.19% | A$9.02 | A$9.76 |
| 2009 | +98.60% | A$4.54 | A$9.02 |
| 2008 | -50.55% | A$9.19 | A$4.54 |
| 2007 | +16.75% | A$7.87 | A$9.19 |
| 2006 | +10.85% | A$7.10 | A$7.87 |
| 2005 | -1.12% | A$7.18 | A$7.10 |
| 2004 | +60.91% | A$4.46 | A$7.18 |
| 2003 | +21.69% | A$3.67 | A$4.46 |
| 2002 | -9.58% | A$4.05 | A$3.67 |
| 2001 | +100.72% | A$2.02 | A$4.05 |
| 2000 | +38.83% | A$1.46 | A$2.02 |
| 1999 | +0.92% | A$1.44 | A$1.46 |
| 1998 | +16.66% | A$1.24 | A$1.44 |
| 1997 | +56.41% | A$0.79 | A$1.24 |
| 1996 | +14.13% | A$0.69 | A$0.79 |
| 1995 | +8.32% | A$0.64 | A$0.69 |
| 1994 | -2.20% | A$0.65 | A$0.64 |
| 1993 | +56.81% | A$0.42 | A$0.65 |
| 1992 | +28.33% | A$0.32 | A$0.42 |
| 1991 | +97.87% | A$0.16 | A$0.32 |
| 1990 | -29.62% | A$0.23 | A$0.16 |
| 1989 | +3.49% | A$0.23 | A$0.23 |
WES Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends
Key factors to consider when evaluating Wesfarmers Limited as an investment
Valuation
WES currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 28.1, which is considered high relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 27.2 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 11.0. The price-to-sales ratio is 1.9.
Dividends
Wesfarmers Limited pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 2.81%. This translates to A$2.13 per share annually. The payout ratio of 76% indicates moderate dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
WES has a beta of 0.84, indicating it is similarly volatile to the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is A$67.70 to A$95.17, and it currently trades in the lower half of its 52-week range.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 13 analyst opinions, WES has a consensus "hold" rating. The average price target of A$81.24 suggests 7.0% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions: WES
What sector is WES in? ▼
WES operates in the Consumer Cyclical sector, specifically in the Home Improvement Retail industry. This sector includes retail, automotive, entertainment, and other consumer discretionary businesses.
How has WES performed historically? ▼
Over 38 years of trading history, WES has posted gains in 30 years (79% of the time). The best year was 2001 with a +100.7% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in WES? ▼
You can invest in WES 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 WES.
Does WES pay dividends? ▼
Wesfarmers Limited pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 2.81%. This translates to A$2.13 per share annually. The payout ratio of 76% indicates moderate dividend coverage.
What does Wesfarmers Limited do? ▼
Wesfarmers Limited is a Home Improvement Retail company operating in the Consumer Cyclical sector. The company is headquartered in Perth, Australia.
What sector is WES in? ▼
WES operates in the Consumer Cyclical sector, specifically in the Home Improvement Retail industry.
When did WES go public? ▼
Wesfarmers Limited went public in 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would A$1,000 invested in WES 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A A$1,000 investment in WES five years ago would be worth approximately A$1,742 today, representing a 74.2% return.
How much would A$1,000 invested in WES 10 years ago be worth today? ▼
A A$1,000 investment in WES ten years ago would be worth approximately A$4,212 today, representing a 321.2% total return over the decade.
What is WES's 3-year return? ▼
Over the past 3 years, WES has returned 64.6%. A A$1,000 investment would have grown to A$1,646.
How much would A$1,000 invested in WES at IPO be worth today? ▼
If you invested A$1,000 in WES at its IPO in 1988, it would be worth approximately A$824,822 today, a 82,382.2% return over 38 years.
Does WES pay dividends? ▼
Yes, Wesfarmers Limited pays a dividend with a current yield of 2.81%, which is A$2.13 per share annually.
What is WES's market cap? ▼
Wesfarmers Limited has a market capitalization of A$86 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.
What is WES's P/E ratio? ▼
WES has a trailing P/E ratio of 28.1 and a forward P/E of 27.2, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is WES a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 13 opinions, WES has a consensus "hold" rating. The average price target is A$81.24.
Last updated: 3/15/2026