Woolworths Group Ltd has experienced an 8% decline in its share price since the beginning of 2024. In contrast, Pilbara Minerals Ltd is currently trading 46% below its 52-week peak. These changes highlight the distinct challenges facing the retail and lithium mining sectors this year.
Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) Woolworths Group Ltd, established in 1924, stands as a major retail entity in Australia and New Zealand. With over 3,000 stores and a workforce exceeding 100,000 employees, it holds the position of Australia’s largest company by revenue and market share. Woolworths operates through various segments, including supermarkets under the Woolworths and Countdown brands, discount department stores via Big W, and B2B operations like PFD. The supermarket division, with its more than 35% share of the Australian market, remains a key strength for the company.
Since the beginning of 2024, Woolworths’ share price has decreased by 8.0%. Despite this decline, the company remains a popular choice among ASX investors seeking stable dividend income. Woolworths consistently provides a fully franked dividend, with a current yield of approximately 3.01%. This yield is higher than its five-year average of 2.66%, suggesting that the shares are trading below their historical dividend yield average.
Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) Pilbara Minerals Ltd, a prominent ASX-listed lithium company, owns the world’s largest independent hard-rock lithium operation, Pilgangoora. Acquired in 2014, this asset forms the core of Pilbara's business, which focuses on the extraction and sale of spodumene concentrate. The company’s sales are conducted through offtake agreements and spot transactions on the Battery Material Exchange (BMX) platform, with notable partners including Great Wall Motors and POSCO.
The Pilbara Minerals share price is currently tracking 46% off its 52-week lows, reflecting a more volatile performance compared to Woolworths. The company's role in the lithium market, coupled with fluctuating commodity prices, contributes to the variability in its share price.
Both Woolworths Group Ltd and Pilbara Minerals Ltd have experienced significant movements in their share prices recently. Woolworths’ current dividend yield exceeds its historical average, providing a more attractive proposition for dividend-focused investors. In contrast, Pilbara Minerals has seen a substantial decrease from its 52-week lows, highlighting the impact of market conditions and commodity price fluctuations on its performance.