MELBOURNE, March 30, 2026, 07:03 UTC+11
- Coles has scheduled its fully franked interim dividend—41 Australian cents per share—to be paid out on March 30. 1
- The payout comes after first-half numbers: group sales were up 2.5%, though reported profit dropped 11.3% due to A$235 million in significant items. 2
- Woolworths is still putting heat on its rivals, following up a solid half-year profit with brisker early second-half food sales. 3
Coles Group is set to pay out a fully franked interim dividend of 41 Australian cents per share on Monday, delivering cash to shareholders as Australia’s second-largest grocer looks to keep its supermarket edge against Woolworths in a more competitive environment. 2
Timing is key here. Coles’ most recent earnings report painted a mixed scene: headline first-half profit slid 11.3% to A$511 million, dragged lower by A$235 million in significant items linked to a Federal Court decision in the Fair Work Ombudsman case. The core supermarket business, though, managed to turn in better numbers. 2
Coles Group posted a 2.5% lift in group sales to A$23.6 billion for the 27 weeks ended Jan. 4. The supermarket segment brought in A$21.4 billion, up 3.6%, and supermarket EBIT surged 14.6%. That jump in profits paved the way for Coles to announce the payout now coming due. 2
For Australian investors, a “fully franked” dividend comes with company tax credits attached. Coles noted that shareholders can opt into its dividend reinvestment plan (DRP), choosing to receive shares in place of a cash payout. 4
Back in February, Chief Executive Leah Weckert described Coles’ latest half as “another solid” performance, even as competition ramped up. Supermarket sales climbed 3.7% in the first seven weeks of the third quarter—or 5.3% if you strip out tobacco. According to Weckert, shoppers are still keeping value “front of mind.” 2
Woolworths isn’t letting up. Back in February, the bigger player posted a first-half profit that topped forecasts, hiked its interim dividend to 45 Australian cents per share, and noted a 5.8% bump in Australian food sales in the first seven weeks of the half—helped by price cuts. Reuters puts Woolworths and Coles at around two-thirds of Australia’s grocery market. 3
Coles isn’t letting up on its core supermarket business. The company reported a 27% jump in online sales for the half-year, while executives continue to emphasize everyday value, ramped-up weekly specials, and loyalty perks to keep sales momentum going this quarter. 2
Yet the trouble areas stand out. Liquor sales dropped 3.2% over the half, while liquor EBIT tumbled 37.3%. Coles pointed to a sluggish market and tougher competition, especially in the second quarter. 2
Another pressure point: Coles flagged roughly A$7 million in one-off expenses coming in the second half, tied to wrapping up the Liquorland streamlining. The Fair Work remediation charge had already dented reported earnings for the first half. 2
Coles shares wrapped up at A$21.96 on March 27, according to its investor page. Third-quarter sales numbers drop May 1, giving investors their next look at whether the supermarket’s resilience is still counterbalancing weaker liquor results and intensifying competition. 5
