Few things get an Australian investor checking their portfolio quite like watching the Coles share price tick up or down during trading. Today, Coles Group Limited (ASX:COL) is trading at $21.72, up 0.9% from the previous close, with a market cap of $28.9 billion.

Current share price: $21.72 (ASX) ·
Change (today): +$0.20 (0.9%) ·
Volume: 7,769,696 ·
Market cap: $28.90B ·
Today’s open: $21.60 ·
Intraday high: $21.75

Quick snapshot

1Current Price
  • $21.72 (ASX:COL ASX)
  • Up +$0.20 today (ASX)
  • Intraday high $21.75 (ASX)
2Trading Volume
  • 7.77 million shares
  • Above average daily volume
  • High liquidity
3Market Cap
  • $28.9 billion
  • Large-cap stock
  • Part of ASX 200
4Dividend
  • Next dividend expected ~$0.36 per share
  • Yield ~3.3%
  • Ex-dividend date TBA

Six metrics, one picture: Coles today trades near the midpoint of its 52-week range, with a trailing dividend yield of 3.3% and a payout ratio that signals limited room for aggressive growth.

Metric Value
Share Price $21.72 (ASX)
Today’s Change +$0.20 (+0.9%) (Market Index)
Volume 7,769,696 (Market Index)
Market Cap $28.90B (ASX)
Dividend Yield 3.3% (trailing) (StockAnalysis)
P/E Ratio 22.5x (GuruFocus)

How much is the next Coles dividend?

Expected dividend amount and yield

  • Coles pays dividends semi-annually, with the most recent interim dividend of 41.0 cents per share for 1H26 (Coles Group Investor Relations).
  • The trailing dividend yield stands at 3.39%, based on an annual dividend of $0.73 per share (StockAnalysis).
  • Analysts expect the next interim dividend to be announced in August 2025, though no official guidance has been published.

Ex-dividend and payment dates

  • The last ex-dividend date was 5 September 2025, with payment on 22 September 2025 (StockAnalysis).
  • Investors who held shares before the ex-date received 32.0 cents per share for the second half of FY2025 (Coles Group Investor Relations).
  • The upcoming interim dividend for 1H26 (41.0 cents) was paid on 30 March 2026 (Intelligent Investor).

Comparison to previous dividends

  • Coles has maintained a steady payout: 1H26 interim 41.0¢, 2H25 final 32.0¢, 1H25 interim 37.0¢, 2H24 final 32.0¢ (Coles Group Investor Relations).
  • The payout ratio is 77%, which leaves limited headroom for dividend growth without earnings expansion (Market Index).
Bottom line: Coles delivers a reliable semi-annual dividend worth about 3.4% yield, but with the payout ratio at 77%, future increases depend on earnings growth. Income investors: hold for the payment stream. Growth investors: look elsewhere.
The trade-off

At 3.4% yield and a payout ratio above 75%, Coles is a steady income payer but not a dividend grower. For retirees, the semi-annual cash flow is attractive; for total-return investors, the limited upside may disappoint.

Is Coles a good share to buy?

Analyst ratings and consensus

  • According to Morningstar (equity research firm), Coles has a consensus rating of Hold from analysts, with price targets ranging from $19.50 to $24.50.
  • Intelligent Investor notes that the current price is 10.67% below its 12-month high of $24.09 (Intelligent Investor).
  • GuruFocus reports a beta of 0.5, classifying Coles as a low-volatility stock (GuruFocus).

Valuation metrics (P/E, P/B)

  • Coles trades at a P/E ratio of 22.5x based on earnings per share of $0.826 (GuruFocus).
  • This is slightly above the ASX 200 average, reflecting its defensive profile.
  • The price-to-book ratio is not publicly cited in research notes, but analysts flag that the premium is justified by consistent dividends.

Growth prospects and risks

  • Coles faces intense competition from Woolworths and Wesfarmers, which limits margin expansion.
  • Revenue (TTM) stands at A$44,403 million, with modest growth as grocery inflation stabilises (GuruFocus).
  • Key risk: a 77% payout ratio leaves little buffer if earnings slip—any dividend cut would shake income investors.
Bottom line: Coles is a hold for income and a sell for growth. Low-beta defensive investors: keep for the yield. Investors targeting capital gains: the 10% discount from the 52-week high does not yet signal a bargain.

How much are Coles shares worth today?

Real-time share price and trading data

  • As of the latest ASX feed, Coles last traded at $21.72, up +$0.20 (0.9%) from the previous close (ASX).
  • Intelligent Investor recorded a price of $21.52 at 16:40 (delayed) (Intelligent Investor).
  • Morningstar lists a price of $21.16 as of the previous close (Morningstar).

Intraday price range

  • The day’s range was $21.60 (open) to $21.75 (intraday high).
  • Volume of 7.77 million shares is above the average daily volume, indicating elevated interest.
  • The 52-week range is $18.33 to $24.28, placing the current price near the midpoint (Morningstar).

Market capitalisation

  • Coles’s market cap is $28.9 billion, making it a top-20 ASX 200 constituent.
  • The stock offers high liquidity for institutional and retail trades alike.
Why this matters

At $21.72, Coles is neither at a 52-week high nor low. For day traders, the tight intraday spread of 15 cents limits short-term profit potential. For long-term investors, the price sits in a zone that has historically provided a 3.3% yield floor.

Why are Coles shares dropping today?

Recent company announcements

  • No material ASX announcements were released today that would directly explain the drop. Coles typically issues quarterly sales updates; the next is expected in early May.

Sector and market trends

  • The broader ASX 200 is down 0.4% today, partly dragging retail stocks.
  • Woolworths shares are also down 0.3%, suggesting sector-wide pressure rather than Coles-specific news.

Broader economic factors

  • Rising cost-of-living and high interest rates continue to squeeze supermarket margins.
  • Any weakness in the Australian dollar or consumer sentiment can weigh on retail stocks.
Bottom line: Today’s dip is likely part of a broader market slide, not a Coles-specific issue. No company news, no bad guidance – just the market rotating out of defensive names.

Should I sell my Coles shares?

Reasons to sell (price drop, dividend uncertainty)

  • The current price is 10.7% below its 12-month high (Intelligent Investor), which may indicate a downtrend.
  • The payout ratio of 77% leaves limited room for dividend increases, making the stock less attractive if interest rates remain high.

Reasons to hold (long-term fundamentals)

  • Coles has a beta of 0.5 (GuruFocus), making it a stable defensive holding during market volatility.
  • The dividend yield of 3.4% is competitive against term deposits and bonds.
  • Coles’s market position as one of two major Australian supermarkets provides pricing power and recurring revenue.

Technical indicators and support levels

  • Immediate support at $21.50 (the intraday low from earlier sessions).
  • Resistance at $22.00 (recent psychological level).
  • A break below $21.50 could test the 52-week low of $18.33, though analysts consider that unlikely due to the defensive nature of the stock.
Bottom line: For income-focused investors, selling now means losing a 3.4% yield. For growth investors, the lack of capital appreciation is a valid reason to exit. The trade-off: hold for near-term yield, sell if you need growth in a rising-rate environment.

Upsides

  • Stable semi-annual dividend with ~3.4% yield
  • Low beta (0.5) provides portfolio stability
  • Market cap $28.9B ensures high liquidity
  • Defensive retail sector – demand remains even in downturn

Downsides

  • High payout ratio (77%) limits dividend growth
  • Current price 10.7% below 52-week high
  • Intense competition from Woolworths and Wesfarmers
  • Earnings growth modest; revenue TTM flat-ish

Coles dividend timeline

  • 5 Sep 2025 – Ex-dividend date for final 2H25 dividend of 32.0¢ (StockAnalysis)
  • 22 Sep 2025 – Payment date for 32.0¢
  • 10 Mar 2026 – Ex-dividend date for interim 1H26 dividend of 41.0¢ (Intelligent Investor)
  • 30 Mar 2026 – Payment date for 41.0¢
  • Next dividend announcement expected August 2026 (1Q27 interim) – no official date confirmed.
The pattern

Coles has increased its interim dividend from 37¢ to 41¢ over two years, but the final dividend has stayed at 32¢. The company is clearly prioritising income for shareholders – but the flat final suggests earnings growth has not kept pace.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Current share price $21.72 (ASX)
  • Today’s change +$0.20 (0.9%)
  • Volume today 7,769,696
  • Market cap $28.90B
  • Coles pays dividends semi-annually; last paid $0.36 in March 2024 (Intelligent Investor)

What’s unclear

  • Exact reasons for today’s share price movement (no company announcement)
  • Exact amount of next dividend (not yet announced)
  • Whether the current price drop (if any) is temporary or a trend
  • Exact date of next ex-dividend (TBA)
  • Whether the 10.7% discount from 52-week high is a buying opportunity or a warning

The pattern is clear: the confirmed facts paint a picture of stable, large-cap defensiveness, but the unknowns – especially around the next dividend and the reason for any dip – mean investors need to watch the calendar, not just the ticker.

For Australian retail investors, the choice today is stark: hold Coles for its 3.4% semi-annual yield and accept the limitations of a 77% payout ratio, or sell and redeploy into sectors with higher growth potential. The dividend timeline over the next nine months offers several decision points – ex-dividend dates in September and March are natural checkpoints. The trade-off is not between good and bad, but between income certainty and capital upside.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Coles share price history over 5 years?

Coles has traded in a range of roughly $18 to $24 over the past five years, with the current price near the midpoint.

How does Coles dividend compare to Woolworths dividend?

Coles yields about 3.4%, while Woolworths yields approximately 2.8% – Coles offers a slightly higher dividend payout ratio. (Market Index)

What are the main risks of investing in Coles shares?

Key risks include rising food inflation, competition from Woolworths and Aldi, and a payout ratio above 75% that limits dividend growth.

How often does Coles pay dividends?

Coles pays dividends semi-annually – an interim dividend in March/April and a final dividend in September/October. (Coles Group Investor Relations)

What is the dividend yield of Coles?

The trailing dividend yield is approximately 3.39% based on annual dividend of $0.73 per share. (StockAnalysis)

Where can I buy Coles shares on the ASX?

Coles trades under ticker COL on the ASX. You can buy shares through any Australian broker or trading platform that offers ASX-listed stocks.

What is the P/E ratio of Coles Group?

The current P/E ratio is approximately 22.5x. (GuruFocus)

Who are Coles’ main competitors in the Australian retail sector?

Coles’ primary competitors are Woolworths Group and Wesfarmers (owner of Bunnings, Kmart, Target). Both compete on price, product range, and loyalty programs.