Sydney, Feb 16, 2026, 18:25 AEDT — Market closed.
- Woodside shares edged up by the close, having given back gains after hitting a session high earlier on.
- Oil hovered close to $68 a barrel, with traders eyeing upcoming U.S.–Iran talks and any signals from OPEC+ on supply adjustments.
- With Woodside’s full-year results and a briefing set for Feb. 24, investors are making their moves now.
Woodside Energy Group Ltd (WDS.AX) finished up 0.23% at A$25.84 on Monday, closing at its session low after reaching an intraday peak of A$26.12. Trading volume came in around 2.12 million shares, per market data. 1
Still, even a slight shift counts. Energy shares are tossed by sparse, holiday-thinned trading in Asia right now, and with liquidity so spotty, the next crude oil headline could hit a lot harder than normal. 2
Oil barely budged, with Brent inching up 3 cents to $67.78 and U.S. WTI ticking 2 cents higher to $62.91 a barrel. “The calm before the storm,” said Tony Sycamore, IG market analyst. Sugandha Sachdeva of SS WealthStreet cautioned that “price action could stay erratic,” pointing to muted demand signals and a market still glued to geopolitics and inventory moves. 3
Oil prices remain a key factor for Woodside. The company’s business—selling oil and LNG—means changes in benchmark prices can swiftly impact both revenue forecasts and the conversation around dividends.
Monday’s session was all about holding pattern vibes. Woodside started at A$26.07, managed a quick uptick, but then slid steadily until the bell. Traders tend to see this kind of slow fade as a sign they’re bracing for something on the horizon.
The countdown’s on. Woodside flagged it will publish its 2025 annual report, climate and sustainability update, plus an investor briefing this Tuesday, Feb. 24. Acting CEO Liz Westcott and CFO Graham Tiver are set to lead the teleconference. 4
Investors are zeroed in on any tweaks to spending, project schedules, and whether management sticks to its guns on output and cost discipline. Back in January, Woodside flagged a production dip for 2026, citing both scheduled maintenance and a major maintenance stop at Pluto LNG coming up in the second quarter. The company also noted Scarborough’s progress—94% finished, with the first LNG cargo expected in the last quarter of 2026. 5
Leadership remains front and center as the briefing drops. Back in December, Woodside tapped Liz Westcott for the acting CEO role after Meg O’Neill stepped down to lead BP. The board kicked off its search for a full-time successor. 6
There’s a chance the macro backdrop sours just as the company faces pressure to justify its budget and timeline. If U.S.–Iran negotiations move forward or OPEC+ puts more barrels on the table, crude prices could take a hit—along with oil-linked stocks.
On the flip side, any flare-up that boosts risk premiums can support the sector, though it usually comes with wilder swings in both directions — hardly ideal for investors navigating an earnings week.
