About Woolworths Group Limited (WOW)
Woolworths Group Limited is a Grocery Stores company operating in the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in Bella Vista, Australia. WOW has been publicly traded since 1993, giving it 33+ years of trading history.
Woolworths Group Limited (WOW) has been publicly traded since 1993, making it a 33-year-old public company. It operates in the Grocery Stores industry within the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in Bella Vista, Australia and employs approximately 202,846 people. With a market capitalization of A$44 billion, WOW is a large established company.
WOW trades on the Australian Securities Exchange and is classified as a large-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately A$44 billion. The company employs approximately 202,846 people worldwide.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- A$35.73
- Market Cap
- A$43.65B
- 52-Week High
- A$36.90
- 52-Week Low
- A$25.51
- Sector
- Consumer Defensive
- Industry
- Grocery Stores
WOW Investment Performance
WOW has gained 23.1% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a A$1,000 investment in WOW would have grown to A$1,199, representing a 19.9% total return. Since its IPO in 1993, a A$1,000 investment would now be worth A$57,750.
A$1,000 Invested in Woolworths Group Limited (WOW)
How much would A$1,000 invested in WOW be worth today?
What would A$1,000 invested in WOW 1 year ago be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Woolworths Group Limited (WOW) in 2025 would be worth A$1,244 as of March 2026, representing a +24.4% total return.
What would A$1,000 invested in WOW 3 years ago be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Woolworths Group Limited (WOW) in 2023 would be worth A$1,040 as of March 2026, representing a +4.0% total return.
What would A$1,000 invested in WOW 5 years ago be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Woolworths Group Limited (WOW) in 2021 would be worth A$1,199 as of March 2026, representing a +19.9% total return.
What would A$1,000 invested in WOW 10 years ago be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Woolworths Group Limited (WOW) in 2016 would be worth A$2,655 as of March 2026, representing a +165.6% total return.
What would A$1,000 invested in WOW at IPO be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Woolworths Group Limited (WOW) at IPO would be worth A$57,750 as of March 2026, representing a +5675.0% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 32+ years (392 months), Woolworths Group Limited (WOW) has averaged a monthly return of +1.17% with a median return of +0.66%. The stock had 219 positive months (56%) and 172 negative months (44%). The best month in WOW's history was February 2026 with a +16.4% return, while the worst was January 2008 at -15.3%. Historically, February tends to be the strongest month (averaging +2.5%), and May the weakest (-0.6%).
WOW's longest winning streak was 6 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 7 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 1997 with a cumulative return of +61.0%, and the worst was 2008 at -17.4%.
Annual Returns
Over 33 years of trading history, Woolworths Group Limited (WOW) has delivered an average annual return of +14.58% with a median return of +12.43%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +12.61%. The stock posted gains in 23 years (70%) and losses in 10 years (30%).
WOW's best year was 1997 with a +77.93% gain, while the worst was 2008 at -18.45%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 8, and the longest losing streak was 2 years. WOW achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 19 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 3 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +23.11% | A$29.02 | A$35.73 |
| 2025 | -0.81% | A$29.26 | A$29.02 |
| 2024 | -14.55% | A$34.24 | A$29.26 |
| 2023 | +13.95% | A$30.05 | A$34.24 |
| 2022 | -9.41% | A$33.17 | A$30.05 |
| 2021 | +17.54% | A$28.22 | A$33.17 |
| 2020 | +11.88% | A$25.22 | A$28.22 |
| 2019 | +27.51% | A$19.78 | A$25.22 |
| 2018 | +12.59% | A$17.57 | A$19.78 |
| 2017 | +17.79% | A$14.92 | A$17.57 |
| 2016 | +2.33% | A$14.58 | A$14.92 |
| 2015 | -15.08% | A$17.17 | A$14.58 |
| 2014 | -5.20% | A$18.11 | A$17.17 |
| 2013 | +20.67% | A$15.00 | A$18.11 |
| 2012 | +24.66% | A$12.04 | A$15.00 |
| 2011 | -1.46% | A$12.22 | A$12.04 |
| 2010 | +1.07% | A$12.09 | A$12.22 |
| 2009 | +10.03% | A$10.98 | A$12.09 |
| 2008 | -18.45% | A$13.47 | A$10.98 |
| 2007 | +46.74% | A$9.18 | A$13.47 |
| 2006 | +46.93% | A$6.25 | A$9.18 |
| 2005 | +16.56% | A$5.36 | A$6.25 |
| 2004 | +32.81% | A$4.04 | A$5.36 |
| 2003 | +7.68% | A$3.75 | A$4.04 |
| 2002 | +4.74% | A$3.58 | A$3.75 |
| 2001 | +38.02% | A$2.59 | A$3.58 |
| 2000 | +68.07% | A$1.54 | A$2.59 |
| 1999 | -1.86% | A$1.57 | A$1.54 |
| 1998 | +12.43% | A$1.40 | A$1.57 |
| 1997 | +77.93% | A$0.79 | A$1.40 |
| 1996 | -0.76% | A$0.79 | A$0.79 |
| 1995 | +22.44% | A$0.65 | A$0.79 |
| 1994 | -8.91% | A$0.71 | A$0.65 |
WOW Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends
Key factors to consider when evaluating Woolworths Group Limited as an investment
Valuation
WOW currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 72.9, which is considered high relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 24.3 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 9.4. The price-to-sales ratio is 0.6.
Dividends
Woolworths Group Limited pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 2.52%. This translates to A$0.90 per share annually. The payout ratio of 2% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
WOW has a beta of 0.38, indicating it is less volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is A$25.51 to A$36.90, and it currently trades near its 52-week high.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 16 analyst opinions, WOW has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target of A$35.38 suggests 1.0% downside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions: WOW
What sector is WOW in? ▼
WOW operates in the Consumer Defensive sector, specifically in the Grocery Stores industry.
How has WOW performed historically? ▼
Over 33 years of trading history, WOW has posted gains in 23 years (70% of the time). The best year was 1997 with a +77.9% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in WOW? ▼
You can invest in WOW 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 WOW.
Does WOW pay dividends? ▼
Woolworths Group Limited pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 2.52%. This translates to A$0.90 per share annually. The payout ratio of 2% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
What does Woolworths Group Limited do? ▼
Woolworths Group Limited is a Grocery Stores company operating in the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in Bella Vista, Australia.
What sector is WOW in? ▼
WOW operates in the Consumer Defensive sector, specifically in the Grocery Stores industry.
When did WOW go public? ▼
Woolworths Group Limited went public in 1993, making it a 33-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would A$1,000 invested in WOW 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A A$1,000 investment in WOW five years ago would be worth approximately A$1,199 today, representing a 19.9% return.
How much would A$1,000 invested in WOW 10 years ago be worth today? ▼
A A$1,000 investment in WOW ten years ago would be worth approximately A$2,655 today, representing a 165.6% total return over the decade.
What is WOW's 3-year return? ▼
Over the past 3 years, WOW has returned 4.0%. A A$1,000 investment would have grown to A$1,040.
How much would A$1,000 invested in WOW at IPO be worth today? ▼
If you invested A$1,000 in WOW at its IPO in 1993, it would be worth approximately A$57,750 today, a 5,675.0% return over 33 years.
Does WOW pay dividends? ▼
Yes, Woolworths Group Limited pays a dividend with a current yield of 2.52%, which is A$0.9 per share annually.
What is WOW's market cap? ▼
Woolworths Group Limited has a market capitalization of A$44 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.
What is WOW's P/E ratio? ▼
WOW has a trailing P/E ratio of 72.9 and a forward P/E of 24.3, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is WOW a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 16 opinions, WOW has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target is A$35.38.
Last updated: 3/15/2026