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Goodman Group vs Charter Hall Group shares: Which ASX REIT pays better income?
Comparing Goodman Group (ASXL GMG) and Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC) makes a lot of sense if you're looking for reliable REIT income on the ASX. Both companies have built significant property portfolios spanning industrial, office, and retail assets, but their approach to dividends, franking, and portfolio focus differs in interesting ways. I've dug into the numbers to see which REIT might suit those chasing income – and why the choice isn't as simple as size or brand alone.
The case for Goodman Group
Goodman Group is a global giant in industrial and logistics property. Since its 2005 merger, Goodman has expanded into 14 countries, with a hefty development and investment presence in Australia, Europe, the Americas, and Asia Pacific. It owns, develops, and manages warehouses, distribution centres, and logistics hubs – putting it at the heart of e-commerce and supply chain growth. As of 30 June, its global portfolio is worth $89 billion, making Goodman the largest REIT on the ASX.
Looking at the fundamentals, I see three things stand out for Goodman:
- Market cap of $54.04 billion puts it in a different league to most local REITs.
- The P/E ratio of 19.85 (with reported EPS at $1.329) is matched by Charter Hall, so it doesn't look unusually "expensive" within this pair.
- Dividend yield is 1.14%, with dividends per share steady at $0.30 annually. Goodman's dividends have remained flat at 15 cents per half since 2020, but crucially, all payments are unfranked.
Goodman's enormous scale and prime global assets make it a core holding for many institutional money managers, especially those seeking stability and growth from industrial property.
The case for Charter Hall Group
Charter Hall Group is a diversified property manager and investor, with major activities in funds management and operating a series of listed and unlisted REITs. Charter Hall's interests range from shopping centres and logistics hubs to office buildings and early learning assets. As of 30 June, the managed portfolio covers $76 billion in assets and a strong property development pipeline.
Here's what catches my eye about Charter Hall's numbers:
- Market cap is $8.45 billion, making it a mid-sized REIT relative to Goodman.
- P/E ratio is also 19.85, with EPS reported at $0.888.
- Dividend yield is 2.87% – more than double Goodman's rate.
- Dividends per share are $0.52 annually and, importantly, heavily franked. Recent dividend history shows franking up to 90% for some payments, with a current blended franking rate around 80%.
For income-focused investors, Charter Hall looks more rewarding at first blush, not just for its higher yield but also that generous franking credit potential. Its track record over the past decade has also seen regular increases to dividends per share.
Valuation comparison
Here's how Goodman and Charter Hall stack up on key income and value metrics:
| Goodman Group | Charter Hall Group | |
|---|---|---|
| Market Cap | $54.04 billion | $8.45 billion |
| P/E Ratio | 19.85 | 19.85 |
| Earnings per Share (EPS) | $1.329 | $0.888 |
| Dividend Yield | 1.14% | 2.87% |
| Dividend per Share | $0.30 | $0.52 |
| Dividend Franking | 0% | ~80% |
Note: Both companies report matching P/E ratios despite different EPS figures. This could reflect slight differences in the earnings calculation method or timing.
Charter Hall comes out ahead for dividend yield and offers substantial franking, making each dollar of payout potentially more valuable for after-tax income than Goodman's unfranked distributions.
Recent share price performance
Let's see how Goodman Group and Charter Hall Group shares have performed recently.
Comparing share price activity up to 28 September 2026:
- Goodman Group closed at $26.30 on 28 Sep 2026, down 14.4% year-to-date.
- Charter Hall Group closed at $17.86 on 28 Sep 2026, down 26.8% year-to-date.
In recent weeks, Goodman's share price has shown a small dip but relative resilience. Charter Hall has faced steeper year-to-date declines, despite a recent day or two in positive territory.
Which is the better buy?
If I'm focusing on income, my pick is Charter Hall Group over Goodman Group. The headline reasons are hard to ignore: Charter Hall's dividend yield is more than double Goodman's, and its dividends come with substantial franking – which means extra value at tax time for many Australian investors. Charter Hall also has a history of boosting its payout per share over time, and its current yield of 2.87% stands out in a sector where steady, inflation-beating income is prized.
Goodman Group is the titan of the sector, but with its low (and unfranked) income distributions, I think it suits those seeking global growth and stability rather than immediate income rewards. Its share price has been more resilient than Charter Hall's during this tough period for property stocks, but if reliable, tax-effective passive income is my main goal, I'd lean toward Charter Hall Group as the more attractive buy right now.
