The Woolworths Limited (ASX: WOW) share price was hammered this morning, falling as much as 6.3% to just $20.50, but shares have since rallied to trade 3.7% higher at $22.70 – a 10% turnaround!
It was a terrible result from Australia's biggest retailer, plagued by a $3.25 billion impairment caused by its decision to exit its Home Improvement operation. Sales fell 1.4% to $32 billion while it reported a net loss of nearly $926 million.
However, investors seem to have come around to today's announcements, including the appointment of its new CEO Brad Banducci, who was also CEO of the Cellarmasters Group between 2007 and 2011.
Indeed, they may also be responding positively to the group's reduced dividend! Woolworths cut its dividend to shareholders by 34.3% to just 44 cents, ending a period of uncertainty regarding the matter.
Shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) also rose after they decided to cut its dividend recently, with investors perhaps pleased about the pressure being eased on the pair's balance sheets.
Brad Banducci is facing an uphill battle to turn Woolworths around. I'd be waiting for at least one more period to see how the business is tracking before buying its shares (unless, of course, the shares fall to a level I simply couldn't refuse).
