The latest earnings results from Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares that were released this morning have been overshadowed somewhat by the dramatic departure of Woolworths CEO Bradford Banducci.
It certainly seems that way if one looks at the Woolworths share price at present. As we speak, Woolworths shares have tanked by a nasty 8.20% and are down to $32.93 each. WOW indeed.
However, Woolies still reported some interesting numbers today that all shareholders should take a look at. As my Fool colleague covered at the time, this morning saw the ASX 200 blue-chip stock and consumer staples giant reveal that its revenue had increased 4.4% over the six months to 31 December to $34.64 billion.
Profits before significant items also rose by 2.5% to $929 million. Saying that, Woolworths recorded a loss of $781 million after significant items, thanks mostly to a $1.5 billion non-cash writedown of Woolworths' New Zealand business.
But let's talk about the fresh Woolworths dividend.
Everything you need to know about the latest Woolworths dividend
So Woolworths revealed an interim dividend for 2024 of 47 cents per share, fully franked (as usual), this morning. That's a 2.17% rise over the interim dividend from 2023, which came in at 46 cents per share.
Together with the final dividend of 58 cents per share that we saw doled out last September, it takes Woolies' 12-month payouts to $1.05 per share.
If you don't already own Woolworths shares but wish to receive this dividend, you have until the ex-dividend date of 28 February to pick up shares. After that date, all new Woolworths shareholders won't have the rights to this dividend included in their purchase.
For eligible investors, dividend payday will then roll around on 11 April.
Woolworths is running its dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) for this upcoming dividend. If any investors wish to participate in this program and receive additional Woolworths shares in lieu of the traditional cash payment, they have until 1 March next month to elect to do so.
Woolworths shares are currently trading with a trailing dividend yield of 3.16%. However, factoring in this new dividend, we can now give the Woolworths share price a forward dividend yield of 3.19%.
