What is dragging the Woodside share price lower today?

This energy giant's shares are falling today. But why?

| More on:
A young man stands facing the camera and scratching his head with the other hand held upwards wondering if he should buy Whitehaven Coal shares

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 Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) share price is in the red on Thursday.

In early trade, the energy giant's shares are down 3% to $29.56.

What's going on with the Woodside share price today?

This decline has been driven by the company's shares going ex-dividend this morning along with fellow mining giants BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO).

When a company's shares go ex-dividend, they will generally decline by the value of that dividend. That's because the rights to the dividend are now locked in and anyone buying its shares today won't be entitled to receive the pay out when it is made.

In the case of Woodside, it declared a 91.5 cents per share final dividend with its full year results last month.

Based on where the Woodside share price closed yesterday's session, this equates to a very decent dividend yield of 3% for just the final dividend.

Eligible shareholders can now look forward to receiving this payment in their nominated bank accounts next month on 4 April.

Insider selling

One shareholder that won't be receiving as many dividends as they could have is CEO, Meg O'Neill.

That's because earlier this week, the company revealed that its leader offloaded 14,883 shares for an average of $30.09. This equates to a total consideration of almost $450,000.

To put that into context, those 14,883 shares would have generated $13,617.945 in dividends next month if O'Neill had held onto them.

Nevertheless, Woodside's CEO is still on course to have a bumper pay day from her remaining shareholding.

With O'Neill in possession of 173,920 ordinary Woodside shares, she can look forward to a $159,136.80 dividend pay day after the Easter break.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group. 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 Scott Phillips.

More on Energy Shares

A young boy sits on his father's shoulders as they flex their muscles at sunrise on a beach
Energy Shares

1 ASX penny stock I'd buy now while it's only 5 cents

I think this ASX penny stock has outsized growth potential.

Read more »

A woman in jeans and a casual jumper leans on her car and looks seriously at her mobile phone while her vehicle is charged at an electic vehicle recharging station.
Energy Shares

This ASX 200 energy giant just signed an EV charging station deal with Stockland

Investors are feeling electrified by this deal.

Read more »

Smiling woman holding Australian dollar notes in each hand, symbolising dividends.
Dividend Investing

2 ASX passive income shares paying 8% and 13% yields

I think both these high yielding ASX dividend stocks offer long-term passive income potential.

Read more »

A coal miner wearing a red hard hat holds a piece of coal up and gives the thumbs up sign in his other hand
Energy Shares

Whitehaven share price up 20% in 5 weeks. Should you buy?

Are you missing the boat amid the rest of the market re-rating this ASX coal share?

Read more »

Woman refuelling the gas tank at fuel pump, symbolising the Ampol share price.
Energy Shares

What a US$100 oil price would mean for ASX shares and petrol prices

AMP chief economist Shane Oliver explains the impact on petrol prices.

Read more »

nextdc share price
Energy Shares

The surprising reason why Santos shares could benefit from data centres

One fund manager is bullish about Santos for an unexpected reason.

Read more »

Worker inspecting oil and gas pipeline.
Energy Shares

Own Woodside shares? Here's why tomorrow is shaping up to be a big day

Why is Wednesday so important for Woodside shareholders?

Read more »

A female coal miner wearing a white hardhat and orange high-vis vest holds a lump of coal and smiles as the Whitehaven Coal share price rises today
Dividend Investing

Invest $10,000 in New Hope shares and get $1,006 in passive income

Many ASX investors buy New Hope shares for their high yielding, fully franked dividends.

Read more »