Sydney, Feb 23, 2026, 18:39 AEDT — Market closed.
- Woolworths gained 0.26% to finish at A$31.31, standing out as the broader market slipped.
- Australia’s main index dropped 0.61% as tariff worries rattled investors.
- Woolworths will report half-year results on Feb. 25, marking a key short-term trigger for the shares.
Woolworths Group Ltd finished Monday’s session with a modest gain, up 0.26% at A$31.31. The stock managed to edge higher while the wider market slipped.
With a major date approaching, Woolworths has set Wednesday, Feb. 25 for its fiscal 2026 half-year results. An analyst and investor webcast will run alongside the numbers.
That’s relevant right now as supermarkets have been pushing discounts more aggressively to defend sales, and investors are eager to find out how that’s impacted profit strength. Updates on costs and pricing feed straight into forecasts.
The S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.61% by the close, with tech, healthcare, and real estate investment trusts dragging the index lower, Investing.com reported.
According to a Reuters market update, renewed doubts over U.S. tariff moves weighed on sentiment. “Trump headlines equal volatility,” said Mark Gardener, CEO of MPC Markets. Indo Premier
Woolworths tends to play the defensive card in consumer staples, a sector built on daily necessities. On Monday, the stock’s shield looked flimsy—yet it didn’t break.
On Wednesday, attention will likely shift to how supermarkets are handling sales, whether there’s evidence of margins recovering, and what executives have to say about juggling promotional activity with profits.
The rivalry is never far off. Coles still stands as the main listed peer, and when price differences or swings in customer numbers crop up, both stocks tend to feel it almost immediately.
The catch? If results disappoint or management signals wariness on pricing or expenses, shares could slip, regardless of what the broader market does.
