Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) shares are slipping today.
Shares in the diversified S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) conglomerate – whose retail subsidiaries include Bunnings Warehouse, Kmart Australia, Officeworks, and Priceline – closed on Friday trading for $83.99. During the Monday lunch hour, shares are changing hands for $82.40 each, down 0.7%.
For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.4% at this same time, pressured by a new round of global tariff threats from United States President Donald Trump over the weekend.
Taking a step back, Wesfarmers shares have gained 8.5% over the past 12 months, not including dividends. The stock trades on a fully-franked dividend yield (partly trailing, partly pending) of 2.5%.
Now, here are four reasons you might want to pick up some shares today.
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Should you buy Wesfarmers shares today?
Shaw and Partners' Jed Richards recently ran his slide rule over the ASX 200 conglomerate (courtesy of The Bull).
The first reason he has a buy recommendation on Wesfarmers shares is one that legendary investor Warren Buffett would most likely agree with. Buffett, as you may recall, famously advises, "A great manager is as important as a great business."
As for Wesfarmers, Richards noted, "This industrial conglomerate remains one of the best managed companies in Australia."
Richards added:
Its management team consistently demonstrates smart capital allocation and a disciplined acquisition strategy amid maintaining a strong oversight on operations across its diverse group of businesses. This quality of leadership gives me confidence that Wesfarmers can continue delivering long term value, even through changing economic conditions.
The second reason Richards is bullish on the stock is the diversification it offers.
"Its diversified revenue streams across retail, chemicals and industrial operations also provide resilience that few companies can match," he noted.
And Richards' third reason for his buy recommendation relates to Wesfarmers' strong half-year (H1 FY 2026) results.
According to Richards:
The company posted its first half results for fiscal year 2026 on February 19. Revenue of $24.212 billion was up 3.1% on the prior corresponding period. Statutory net profit after tax of $1.603 billion increased 9.3%.
And I'll add a fourth reason you might want to buy Wesfarmers shares today. Though depending on when you're reading this, you'll have to be quick!
When the company reported its half-year results last Thursday, management declared a fully-franked interim dividend of $1.02 per share, up 7.4%.
And Wesfarmers stock trades ex-dividend tomorrow, 24 February.
So if you want to score that passive income payout, you'll need to own shares at market close. You can then expect to receive that Wesfarmers dividend on 31 March.
