Every earnings season, it is the blue chips of the ASX that investors arguably look forward to hearing from the most. Even if an investor doesn’t own one of these shares themselves, what these companies have to say has ASX-wide implications, and even provides an insight into the health of the Australian economy itself. Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) is one of those shares, and we heard about the company’s latest numbers, including the new Woolworths dividend, this morning.

As my Fool colleague covered earlier, it was a strong set of numbers that the company had to show for itself. Woolworths revealed that it brought in $71.54 billion in revenues over the 12 months to 30 June, up 3.6% from the prior year.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) before significant items was up an even healthier 6.7% to $6.09 billion. Meanwhile, Woolworths posted a net profit after tax (NPAT) and before significant items of $1.6 billion. That was up a pleasing 15.4%.

But let’s talk about the new Woolworths dividend.

Everything you need to know about the next Woolworths dividend

Woolworths just revealed that its final dividend for 2026 will be worth 52 cents per share. That’s a 15.56% increase over the final dividend of 45 cents per share that investors enjoyed in 2025. Like almost every dividend that this company pays, this one will come with full franking credits attached.

Together with the interim dividend of 45 cents per share (also fully franked), this final dividend takes Woolworths’ 2026 payouts to 97 cents per share, up 15.48% from the 84 cents per share that investors enjoyed over 2025. This represents a payout ratio of 74.1% from the $1.309 in earnings per share (EPS) that the company made over FY2026.

If one doesn’t yet own Woolworths shares, but would like to receive this latest payout from the company, Woolworths has named 1 September as the ex-dividend date. That means investors will need to have Woolworths shares in their name by the end of August to be eligible to receive it.

Anyone who buys Woolworths shares on or after 1 September will leave the right to receive the payout behind with the seller. Payment day will then roll around on 25 September next month.

Woolworths is running its dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) for this latest dividend. That means investors who wish to receive additional Woolworths shares in lieu of a cash payment can nominate to do so by 3 September.

Woolworths is currently trading with a trailing dividend yield of 2.21%. However, the company can now be assigned a forward yield of 2.38%.

The post Everything you need to know about the Woolworths dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX 200 closes in on record territory as BHP and Woolworths surge
• Why Woolworths, Domino’s and DroneShield shares are turning heads on Wednesday
• How many Woolworths shares do I need to earn $10,000 per year in passive income?
• Woolworths Group FY26 earnings: Sales, profit and dividend all grow
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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.

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) shares have crashed into the red in early morning trade as investors digest the company’s latest half-year FY26 update.

At the time of writing, the counter-drone operators’ shares are down around 6% and trading at $1.83.

The latest price movement means DroneShield shares are now down 45% for the year-to-date, and are 49% lower than 12 months ago.

What’s the latest out of DroneShield?

The ASX defence company revealed that for the six months ending 30th of June, revenue jumped 74% to a record $125.8 million. Recurring revenue also increased 229% to $11.5 million.

But DroneShield also posted a statutory net loss after tax of $32.2 million, compared with a $2.1 million profit a year earlier. Underlying EBITDA also came in at a $12.4 million loss, compared with an $8 million profit posted in the first half of FY25.

The counter-drone operator said that the company has been focused on expanding its product range and geographical footprint over the first half of FY26. The higher corresponding operating costs, higher staff numbers, and strategic software and hardware investments all contributed to the reported loss.

Did the result meet market expectations?

DroneShield’s $125.8 million revenue came in line with guidance expectations. But recurring revenue was a miss, at $11.5 million versus guidance of $14.2 million for the six-month period.

Gross margin was in line with expectations at 60%, versus 65% in the prior corresponding period. 

Clearly, investors aren’t thrilled with the result either, with many rushing to sell off their stake in the company.

Are DroneShield shares a buy, sell or hold?

The experts are divided in their outlook for DroneShield shares over the next 12 months. But after today’s results announcement, we may see some brokers and analysts revise their stance in the coming days.

At the time of writing, Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a sell rating on DroneShield shares. However, the $2.40 target price implies a potential 30% upside ahead, at the time of writing.

TradingView data shows that of the four analysts, two have a strong buy rating and two have a sell/strong sell rating.

The target prices also vary. The average target price of $2.13 implies a potential 18% upside over the next 12 months, at the time of writing. 

But the minimum $1.60 target price implies a 11% downside at the time of writing. And the maximum $2.80 target price suggests DroneShield shares could rise another 55% over the next 12 months.

The latest forecasts are a sharp revision from just one month ago. In late July, some experts were forecasting DroneShield shares to rally as high as $4.80 each. 

The post Are DroneShield shares a buy, sell or hold following their half-year FY26 results today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Woolworths, Domino’s and DroneShield shares are turning heads on Wednesday
• DroneShield share price in focus as record revenue meets interim loss
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Are DroneShield shares worth buying and holding?

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield. 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.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is pushing higher again on Wednesday, extending the gains seen at the start of the week.

At the time of writing, the ASX 200 is up 0.56% to 9,215 points.

This puts the index at its highest level in 2 weeks and less than 1% below the record high of 9,296 points reached earlier this month.

Wall Street also gave a positive lead overnight, with the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) rising 0.66%, while the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) and Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJX: .DJI) added around 0.3%.

The move is relatively broad as well, with 104 shares trading higher, 86 lower and 10 unchanged.

So, what’s driving the market today?

BHP and Woolworths lead the way

Mining shares are giving the index plenty of support, led by another record high from BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP).

The BHP share price is up 1.18% to $68.47 after touching a new all-time high of $68.77 earlier this morning. Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) is also up 1.37% to $181.75, with copper prices remaining close to record levels.

BHP has been on a strong run since releasing its FY26 results last week, when the miner reported record underlying EBITDA of US$32.9 billion and underlying attributable profit of US$13.2 billion.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) is another major contributor today, with its shares jumping 5.59% to $41.02 following the release of its FY26 results.

The supermarket giant reported a 3.6% increase in group sales to $71.54 billion, while underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) rose 15.4% to $1.6 billion. Woolworths also lifted its final fully franked dividend by 15.6% to 52 cents per share.

Energy and tech stocks head lower

Not every part of the market is enjoying today’s gains, with lower oil prices weighing on the energy sector.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are down 4.27% to $31.59, while Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) has fallen 2.45% to $7.95.

Oil prices moved lower overnight, with brent crude falling 3.9% to US$88.58 per barrel as concerns around supply disruptions eased.

Tech shares are also having a tougher session, with the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) down roughly 1.25%.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares are sinking 7.8% to $41.92 after releasing its FY26 results this morning, despite reporting a 79% jump in revenue to US$1.40 billion.

According to The Australian, the fall appears to be driven by weaker than expected CargoWise growth and a softer outlook for e2open.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) shares have also dropped 4.99% to $84.51.

The post ASX 200 closes in on record territory as BHP and Woolworths surge appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Everything you need to know about the Woolworths dividend
• Why Woolworths, Domino’s and DroneShield shares are turning heads on Wednesday
• Why are WiseTech shares crashing 8.5% today?
• How many Woolworths shares do I need to earn $10,000 per year in passive income?
• WiseTech Global share price: FY26 earnings soar 79% on e2open acquisition

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.