Shares of Woodside Energy (ASX:WDS) climbed to an 18-month peak on Tuesday, lifting as investors reacted to the company's latest annual results and a maintained dividend program.
The Australia-listed oil and gas producer reported a 2025 net profit after tax of $2.72 billion, a decline of 24% compared with the prior year. Underlying net profit was $2.65 billion, down 8% year-on-year. Company commentary and the reported figures indicated that lower realised commodity prices were the primary offset to higher production volumes.
Production hit a company record, with annual output rising to 198.8 million barrels of oil equivalent, which equates to about 545,000 boe per day. The results were supported by strong performance at the Sangomar project and high operational reliability at Woodside's Pluto LNG and North West Shelf facilities.
Sydney-listed shares rose as much as 2% to A$27.66, marking the highest share price since early September 2024.
On the shareholder return front, Woodside declared a final dividend of 59 U.S. cents per share. That brings the total full-year dividend to 112 U.S. cents per share, fully franked. The company indicated the payout ratio sits at the top end of its stated 50% to 80% target range.
Context and market reaction
The share price movement followed the combination of record production volumes and an unchanged commitment to a substantial dividend distribution, even as net profits fell on the back of weaker realised prices. The operational highlights cited in the company's results focused on output contributions from Sangomar and the reliability of the Pluto LNG and North West Shelf assets.
What the numbers show
- 2025 net profit after tax: $2.72 billion, down 24% year-on-year.
- Underlying net profit: $2.65 billion, down 8% year-on-year.
- Annual production: 198.8 million boe, or 545,000 boe per day.
- Final dividend: 59 U.S. cents per share; full-year dividends: 112 U.S. cents per share, fully franked. Payout ratio at the top end of 50%–80% target range.
These results and the dividend decision were reflected in the market by a modest uptick in the stock, reaching A$27.66 at peak trading during the session.