Earlier today, we looked at the current dividend yield one could expect from buying Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares in early 2026. It seems only fair that we give the same treatment to Woolies' arch-rival, Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) stock, before the week is through.
As we discussed this morning, Woolworths shares have had one of their worst slumps in a very long time in recent years. The ASX 200 consumer staples stock and popular blue-chip share remains down 11.1% today from where it was five years ago. A number of blunders have contributed to this shaky performance, not to mention the tangible market share losses the company has endured at the benefit of Coles.
In stark contrast, Coles has been the supermarket operator to have bought. Coles stock has been on fire, minting a fresh new record high of $24.28 back in September of last year. This ASX 200 blue chip has banked a decent gain of 15.5% over the past five years, significantly outperforming its larger rival.
This morning, we discussed Woolworths' patchy dividend performance in recent years. But again, in stark contrast, Coles' stock has been a relative beacon of stability. It has delivered an annual dividend increase every single year since its 2018 spinoff from Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).
To illustrate, Coles paid out 35.5 cents per share in dividends in 2019, 57.7 cents in 2020, 61 cents in 2021, 63 cents in 2022, 66 cents in 2023, and 68 cents per share in 2024.
All of those dividends came with full franking credits attached too.
But what of the dividend yield available on Coles stock today?
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Here's the current dividend yield on Coles stock
Coles managed to keep its dividend streak alive in 2025. The company forked out an interim dividend worth 37 cents per share in March, followed by a final dividend of 32 cents per share in September. Together, that annual total of 69 cents per share was a 1.47% increase over the 68 cents per share investors enjoyed in 2024.
Over the past few months, Coles stock has come down from that September record high. At the time of writing, the company is trading at $21.07. This share price drop has been good news for income investors, though. At $21.07 a share, Coles stock currently trades on a trailing dividend yield of 3.27%. That's 4.67% grossed-up with Coles' full franking. Keep in mind, though, that this represents what Coles has already paid out, not what investors will get this year.
No doubt investors will be hoping that Coles continues its dividend streak in 2026 and ups its payouts again. But we'll have to wait and see if that's the case.
