Why is the Woodside share price outperforming today?

Investors are bidding up Woodside shares on Tuesday. But why?

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The Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) share price is pushing higher today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) energy stock closed yesterday trading for $27.10. In early morning trade on Tuesday, shares are changing hands for $27.36 apiece, up 1%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.3% at this same time.

This follows the release of Woodside's full calendar year 2025 results.

Here are the highlights.

An oil worker assesses productivity at an oil rig as ASX 200 energy shares continue to rise.

Image source: Getty Images

Woodside share price lifts on record production

The Woodside share price is marching higher today with the company achieving all-time high full-year production of 198.8 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe), topping 2025 production guidance.

Management credited the record result to strong production at its Sangomar project, located offshore Senegal, which produced at nameplate capacity for most of the year. Woodside's operated Pluto LNG and NWS Project assets also were highlighted as high-end performers.

Pleasingly costs came down in 2025, declining 4% year on year to US$7.8 per barrel of oil equivalent (boe). Though realised prices declined even more, falling 5% from 2024 to US$60.2/boe.

Over the 12 months, the ASX 200 oil and gas stock raked in $12.98 billion in revenue, down 1% from 2024. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $9.28 billion were in line with 2024 earnings.

On the bottom line, Woodside's net profit after tax (NPAT) of $2.72 billion was down 24% from 2024, while underlying NPAT of $2.65 billion declined by 8%.

But the Woodside share price looks to be getting some support after management declared a final fully-franked dividend of US 59 cents per share. That's up 11% from last year's final payout (in US dollar terms).

Adding in the interim Woodside dividend, the company will have paid out a total of US$2.1 billion in passive income to shareholders for the 2025 calendar year.

If you want to bag that final Woodside dividend, you'll need to own shares at market close on 4 March. Woodside trades ex-dividend on 5 March. You can then expect to see that passive income land in your bank account on 27 March.

On the major growth project front, Scarborough is 94% complete with first LNG cargo forecast late this year. Woodside's Louisiana LNG project is now 22% complete.

What did management say?

Commenting on the results helping lift the Woodside share price today, acting CEO Liz Westcott said:

Sangomar produced at nameplate capacity of 100,000 barrels per day for most of 2025 at almost 99% reliability. This translated into $2.6 billion of EBITDA (Woodside share) generated since start-up, demonstrating the asset's value.

Looking ahead, Westcott added:

Woodside's objectives for 2026 are clear: ramp up Beaumont; deliver first LNG cargo from Scarborough; and continue progressing Louisiana LNG and Trion to schedule and budget.

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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.

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