Where to next for the Woolworths (ASX:WOW) share price?

With grocery stores in the essential services category, Woolies has been able to keep operating through the lockdowns.

| More on:
Family having fun while shopping for groceries.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) share price finished the day yesterday up 1.74%, closing at $38.55 per share.

Following a 1.94% gain on Wednesday, Woolies is trading at all-time highs.

In fact, the Woolworth share price is now 4.7% above where it was trading before COVID-19 torpedoed global markets. On 21 February 2020, Woolies closed at $36.81, at the time also a new record.

What now?

Some leading analysts believe the Woolworths share price may have be getting a little dear.

Credit Suisse, for example, downgraded Woolies to "underperform". In a note, the broker pointed out Woolies is at a price to earnings (P/E) ratio of 30 times of its estimated 2022 financial year earnings.

Goldman Sachs, noting Woolies decision to divest its liquor and gaming business – now Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV) – also downgraded it to "neutral" with a price target of $36.80 per share. That's about 4.6% below the current Woolworths share price.

Brad Banducci, Woolies' CEO, likely has some different ideas about his company's future value. As my Foolish colleague Mitchell Lawler wrote, Banducci plans "to generate additional revenue streams by building out the company's retail, supply chain and rewards segments".

Woolies already has a lengthy track record of doing so, including major expansions of its e-commerce platforms.

How has Woolworth's share price moved this year?

The Woolworth's share price is up 13.8% year-to-date. That handily outpaces the 9.8% gains posted by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

At the current share price, Woolies has a market cap of $48 billion. The company pays a dividend yield of 2.7%, fully franked.

The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Young fruit picker clipping bunch of grapes in vineyard.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Over 51% down this year, how low can Treasury Wine shares go?

Many analysts see the wine stock now as a buy.

Read more »

A young woman looks happily at her phone in one hand with a selection of retail shopping bags in her other hand.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Bell Potter names the best ASX retail stocks to buy

The broker thinks you should add these retailers to your shopping list.

Read more »

A female Woolworths customer leans on her shopping trolley as she rests her chin in her hand thinking about what to buy for dinner while also wondering why the Woolworths share price isn't doing as well as Coles recently
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Woolworths shares are down 12% from their peak. Should those who don't own them consider buying now?

Are the supermarkets shares a good buy today?

Read more »

A row of Rivians cars.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Trading near 12-month lows, are Bapcor shares worth a look?

Bapcor shares have been sold off on weak trading results, but does that mean they're now worth running the ruler…

Read more »

a woman stands behind a market stall smiling widely with a wide range of colourful fresh produce on display in front of her.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

How much upside does Macquarie predict for Coles shares?

The broker recently toured the supermarket giant's vertically integrated fresh food production site in NSW.

Read more »

A row of Rivians cars.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

3 reasons to buy this racing ASX 200 stock

Brokers are positive about a new rally.

Read more »

Seven people look for bargains to buy at a yard sale.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Macquarie names its top ASX consumer staples and consumer discretionary stock picks

Do you have exposure to these stocks in your portfolio?

Read more »

Man with his head on his head with a red declining arrow and A worried man holds his head and look at his computer as the Megaport share price crashes today
Share Fallers

Why is the Bapcor share price crashing 19% on Tuesday?

Investors are punishing Bapcor shares today. But why?

Read more »