Wesfarmers’ shares (ASX: WES) have set off 2025 impressively, with gains of 8.68% year-to-date seeing the company to a new all-time-high of $79.43. Today’s 1.33% gain comes as the company reported profits that beat expectations, despite some potential tariff risks on the horizon.
The company, a well known retailer of names such as Bunnings and Kmart, reported improved half-year results, with a lucrative dividend increase thrown in for good measure for shareholders.
For the six months ended December 31, Wesfarmers’ revenue experienced a 3.6% rise, reaching $23.49 billion. This growth was driven by positive sales performances across several of its business segments. Bunnings, a leading Australian home improvement and outdoor living retailer, reported a 3.1% increase in sales, totaling $10.26 billion. Meanwhile, Kmart Group, another integral part of Wesfarmers’ retail portfolio, saw a 2% sales increase to $6.2 billion.
Officeworks, known for its office supplies and stationary, recorded a 4.7% increase in sales, reaching $1.75 billion. This growth was mainly attributed to above-market performance in its technology segment. The WesCEF segment, focusing on chemicals, energy, and fertilizers, emerged as the standout performer with a 9.5% sales increase to $1.2 billion. Additionally, Wesfarmers’ Health division witnessed an 8.9% revenue jump to $3 billion, aided by the acquisition of SILK Laser and a rise in pharmaceutical sales.
Net profit after tax rose by 2.9% to $1.47 billion, with a fully franked interim dividend of 95 cents per share declared, marking a 4.4% increase.
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Wesfarmers’ managing director, Rob Scott, emphasised the company’s focus on creating shareholder value, highlighting the importance of efficiency and digitisation in addressing rising costs.
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