About Westpac Banking Corporation (WBC)
Westpac Banking Corporation is a Banks - Diversified company operating in the Financial Services sector. The company is headquartered in Sydney, Australia. WBC has been publicly traded since 1988, giving it 38+ years of trading history.
Westpac Banking Corporation (WBC) has been publicly traded since 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company. It operates in the Banks - Diversified industry within the Financial Services sector. The company is headquartered in Sydney, Australia and employs approximately 35,236 people. With a market capitalization of A$140 billion, WBC is a large established company.
WBC trades on the Australian Securities Exchange and is classified as a large-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately A$140 billion. The company employs approximately 35,236 people worldwide.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- A$40.99
- Market Cap
- A$140.12B
- 52-Week High
- A$43.32
- 52-Week Low
- A$28.44
- Sector
- Financial Services
- Industry
- Banks - Diversified
WBC Investment Performance
WBC has gained 6.2% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a A$1,000 investment in WBC would have grown to A$2,195, representing a 119.5% total return. Since its IPO in 1988, a A$1,000 investment would now be worth A$87,460.
A$1,000 Invested in Westpac Banking Corporation (WBC)
How much would A$1,000 invested in WBC be worth today?
What would A$1,000 invested in WBC 1 year ago be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Westpac Banking Corporation (WBC) in 2025 would be worth A$1,356 as of March 2026, representing a +35.6% total return.
What would A$1,000 invested in WBC 3 years ago be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Westpac Banking Corporation (WBC) in 2023 would be worth A$2,236 as of March 2026, representing a +123.6% total return.
What would A$1,000 invested in WBC 5 years ago be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Westpac Banking Corporation (WBC) in 2021 would be worth A$2,195 as of March 2026, representing a +119.5% total return.
What would A$1,000 invested in WBC 10 years ago be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Westpac Banking Corporation (WBC) in 2016 would be worth A$2,305 as of March 2026, representing a +130.5% total return.
What would A$1,000 invested in WBC at IPO be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Westpac Banking Corporation (WBC) at IPO would be worth A$87,460 as of March 2026, representing a +8646.0% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 38+ years (458 months), Westpac Banking Corporation (WBC) has averaged a monthly return of +1.17% with a median return of +1.56%. The stock had 272 positive months (59%) and 183 negative months (40%). The best month in WBC's history was May 1988 with a +24.0% return, while the worst was March 2020 at -30.2%. Historically, October tends to be the strongest month (averaging +2.8%), and May the weakest (-0.4%).
WBC's longest winning streak was 9 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 5 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 2009 with a cumulative return of +48.2%, and the worst was 2008 at -39.9%.
Annual Returns
Over 38 years of trading history, Westpac Banking Corporation (WBC) has delivered an average annual return of +13.73% with a median return of +15.26%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +11.39%. The stock posted gains in 29 years (76%) and losses in 9 years (24%).
WBC's best year was 2009 with a +56.83% gain, while the worst was 2008 at -35.37%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 7, and the longest losing streak was 2 years. WBC achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 21 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 5 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +6.19% | A$38.60 | A$40.99 |
| 2025 | +24.74% | A$30.94 | A$38.60 |
| 2024 | +49.36% | A$20.72 | A$30.94 |
| 2023 | +4.83% | A$19.76 | A$20.72 |
| 2022 | +15.26% | A$17.15 | A$19.76 |
| 2021 | +15.75% | A$14.81 | A$17.15 |
| 2020 | -18.71% | A$18.22 | A$14.81 |
| 2019 | +3.24% | A$17.65 | A$18.22 |
| 2018 | -14.67% | A$20.68 | A$17.65 |
| 2017 | +1.94% | A$20.29 | A$20.68 |
| 2016 | +3.19% | A$19.66 | A$20.29 |
| 2015 | +8.04% | A$18.20 | A$19.66 |
| 2014 | +7.95% | A$16.86 | A$18.20 |
| 2013 | +31.85% | A$12.79 | A$16.86 |
| 2012 | +39.60% | A$9.16 | A$12.79 |
| 2011 | -3.47% | A$9.49 | A$9.16 |
| 2010 | -6.91% | A$10.19 | A$9.49 |
| 2009 | +56.83% | A$6.50 | A$10.19 |
| 2008 | -35.37% | A$10.06 | A$6.50 |
| 2007 | +20.57% | A$8.34 | A$10.06 |
| 2006 | +11.94% | A$7.45 | A$8.34 |
| 2005 | +22.44% | A$6.09 | A$7.45 |
| 2004 | +27.87% | A$4.76 | A$6.09 |
| 2003 | +22.04% | A$3.90 | A$4.76 |
| 2002 | -8.60% | A$4.27 | A$3.90 |
| 2001 | +24.49% | A$3.43 | A$4.27 |
| 2000 | +30.86% | A$2.62 | A$3.43 |
| 1999 | +0.66% | A$2.60 | A$2.62 |
| 1998 | +16.10% | A$2.24 | A$2.60 |
| 1997 | +43.75% | A$1.56 | A$2.24 |
| 1996 | +29.71% | A$1.20 | A$1.56 |
| 1995 | +40.91% | A$0.85 | A$1.20 |
| 1994 | -2.29% | A$0.87 | A$0.85 |
| 1993 | +47.77% | A$0.59 | A$0.87 |
| 1992 | -24.21% | A$0.78 | A$0.59 |
| 1991 | +43.38% | A$0.54 | A$0.78 |
| 1990 | -30.40% | A$0.78 | A$0.54 |
| 1989 | +15.26% | A$0.68 | A$0.78 |
WBC Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends
Key factors to consider when evaluating Westpac Banking Corporation as an investment
Valuation
WBC currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 20.6, which is considered moderate relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 18.6 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 1.9. The price-to-sales ratio is 6.4.
Dividends
Westpac Banking Corporation pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 3.76%. This translates to A$1.54 per share annually. The payout ratio of 76% indicates moderate dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
WBC has a beta of 0.81, indicating it is similarly volatile to the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is A$28.44 to A$43.32, and it currently trades near its 52-week high.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 14 analyst opinions, WBC has a consensus "underperform" rating. The average price target of A$35.33 suggests 13.8% downside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions: WBC
What sector is WBC in? ▼
WBC operates in the Financial Services sector, specifically in the Banks - Diversified industry. This sector includes banks, insurance companies, asset managers, and fintech companies.
How has WBC performed historically? ▼
Over 38 years of trading history, WBC has posted gains in 29 years (76% of the time). The best year was 2009 with a +56.8% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in WBC? ▼
You can invest in WBC 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 WBC.
Does WBC pay dividends? ▼
Westpac Banking Corporation pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 3.76%. This translates to A$1.54 per share annually. The payout ratio of 76% indicates moderate dividend coverage.
What does Westpac Banking Corporation do? ▼
Westpac Banking Corporation is a Banks - Diversified company operating in the Financial Services sector. The company is headquartered in Sydney, Australia.
What sector is WBC in? ▼
WBC operates in the Financial Services sector, specifically in the Banks - Diversified industry.
When did WBC go public? ▼
Westpac Banking Corporation went public in 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would A$1,000 invested in WBC 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A A$1,000 investment in WBC five years ago would be worth approximately A$2,195 today, representing a 119.5% return.
How much would A$1,000 invested in WBC 10 years ago be worth today? ▼
A A$1,000 investment in WBC ten years ago would be worth approximately A$2,305 today, representing a 130.5% total return over the decade.
What is WBC's 3-year return? ▼
Over the past 3 years, WBC has returned 123.6%. A A$1,000 investment would have grown to A$2,236.
How much would A$1,000 invested in WBC at IPO be worth today? ▼
If you invested A$1,000 in WBC at its IPO in 1988, it would be worth approximately A$87,460 today, a 8,646.0% return over 38 years.
Does WBC pay dividends? ▼
Yes, Westpac Banking Corporation pays a dividend with a current yield of 3.76%, which is A$1.54 per share annually.
What is WBC's market cap? ▼
Westpac Banking Corporation has a market capitalization of A$140 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.
What is WBC's P/E ratio? ▼
WBC has a trailing P/E ratio of 20.6 and a forward P/E of 18.6, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is WBC a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 14 opinions, WBC has a consensus "underperform" rating. The average price target is A$35.33.
Last updated: 3/15/2026