The Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) dividend is due to hit bank accounts today.
Woodside shares have fallen more than 3% since market close on 5 September to $33.87. For perspective, the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) has shed 2.09% in the same time frame.
Let's take a look at the details of the Woodside dividend.
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Woodside dividend to be paid today
Woodside investors are due to receive a fully franked dividend of US109 cents today. This will equate to $1.59953041 in Australian dollars, based on the exchange rate of US68.145 cents, as advised on 14 September.
Today's interim dividend is 263% higher than the dividend paid in the first half of calendar year 2021.
The dividend includes 76 cents per share reflecting 80% of Woodside's underlying net profit after tax (NPAT), and 33 cents per share from the merger with the petroleum business of BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP).
Woodside's underlying NPAT exploded 414% to US$1.819 billion in the first half of 2022.
Woodside's 2022 interim dividend is the largest delivered to shareholders since 2014. Commenting on the dividend in a briefing to investors on 30 August, CEO Meg O'Neill said:
It is pleasing to be able to maintain Woodside's traditionally high dividend yield, particularly given the number of shares on issue was almost doubled on completion of the merger three months ago.
In 2020, Woodside's interim dividend was US26 cents per share, 76% less than the 2022 interim dividend.
Back in 2018, the company delivered an interim dividend of US53 cents per share, while the 2019 interim dividend was US36 cents per share.
Woodside's final dividend in 2021 was more than three times higher than the interim dividend.
Woodside share price snapshot
The Woodside share price has soared 35% in the past year, while it has surged 54% in the year to date.
For perspective, the ASX 200 has shed more than 8% in the past year.
Woodside has a market capitalisation of about $64 billion based on the current share price.
