The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) closed up 1.1% in the month just past, with Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) shares trailing those gains while Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares just edged out the benchmark index.
Closing on 31 August trading for $24.04 apiece, Coles shares slipped 0.2% over the month.
Woolworths shares went the other way, gaining 1.4% to close the month at $40.31 each.
Both of the ASX 200 supermarket giants reported their full year FY 2026 results in August.
Here’s what’s been happening.
Woolworths shares march higher in August
Woolworths shares were in focus on 26 August following the release of the company’s FY 2026 results.
The company achieved solid growth over the year, with sales of $71.54 billion up 3.6% from FY 2025. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) (before significant items) increased by 6.7% year on year to $6.09 billion.
And on the bottom line, Woolworths reported a net profit after tax (NPAT) of $1.60 billion, up 15.4% (before significant items).
Passive income investors were rewarded with a 15.6% increase in the final fully franked Woolworths dividend, which came out to 52 cents per share.
“Sales momentum together with strong productivity and cost discipline has delivered solid EBIT growth with an increased contribution from all trading segments,” Woolworths CEO Amanda Bardwell said.
Woolworths shares closed up 3.4% on the day of the results release.
Coles shares jump on results, slip over the month
Coles released its own FY 2026 results on 25 August.
Over the 12 months, Coles reported sales revenue of $45.58 billion, up a 2.8% year-on-year. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of $2.32 billion were up 9.9% (excluding significant items).
On the bottom line, Coles NPAT came out to $1.26 billion (excluding significant items) up 13.7% from FY 2025.
Coles declare a 37-cent per share fully-franked final dividend, up 15% from the prior final dividend payout.
If you want to bank the final Coles dividend, there’s still time. But not much!
To grab that passive income, you’ll need to own shares at market close today. Coles shares trade ex-dividend on 3 September.
Coles shares closed up 4.9% on the day of the results release.
How have the ASX 200 supermarkets been tracking in 2026?
In morning trade today Coles shares are changing hands for $23.74 apiece, up 11.3% year to date.
Woolworths shares are trading for $39.36 each, up 33.7% in 2026.
The post Coles versus Woolworth shares: Which ASX supermarket giant outperformed in August? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
Should you invest $1,000 in Coles Group right now?
Before you buy Coles Group shares, consider this:
Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Coles Group wasn’t one of them.
The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…
* Returns as of 1 August 2026
.custom-cta-button p {
margin-bottom: 0 !important;
}
More reading
- How to build an ASX portfolio you can stick with for 10 years
- Don’t panic if these 9 ASX 200 shares fall today
- 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
- How much superannuation do I need to earn $90,000 per year in passive income?
- Up 12%: Is there still value in Coles shares?
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.