How does the Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) share price typically perform in the lead up to Christmas?

Will Wesfarmers give shareholders a Christmas bonus?

| More on:
A woman Christmas shopping while holding bags and a credit card.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Well, if you can believe it, we're only a few days away from the start of December 2021. Amid the market gyrations that seem to have kicked off this week, it might be a good time to see how some of the ASX's blue-chip shares typically travel during the silly season. So today, we're checking out the Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) share price, and how it has performed in Decembers' past.

Wesfarmers is one of the oldest blue-chip shares on the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO). It has been around in some form since 1914. Today, it can be called a conglomerate, considering its ownership of such a wide stable of retailing brands. It owns the Bunnings Warehouse chain of course, but also has Target, OfficeWorks, Geeks2U and Kmart. And that's just its retailing side. Wesfarmers also continues to run its mining, gas and chemical manufacturing divisions, as well as its own clothing line (Workwear).

Last year in 2020, Wesfarmers indeed had a very pleasing Christmas run. It started December last year at roughly $49.45 a share, but by Christmas Eve, it had finished up at $51.10 a share, a rise of 3.34%.

So, do we see this pattern extend to just beyond 2020?

Wesfarmers share price: A Christmas journey

Well, not exactly. Back in late 2019, Wesfarmers shares started December at $42.41 each. But by Christmas Eve 2019, the shares had slipped slightly to $41.79 – a fall of 1.46%.

The prior year in 2018 saw a different outcome again. That year saw Wesfarmers start December at a share price of $31.59 a share… exactly where it ended up on Christmas Eve. So a very flat buildup to Christmas indeed for that year.

Going back to 2017 now (seems like a long time ago these days), and we see a different pattern play out yet again. That year had Wesfarmers begin the silly season at approximately $31.37 a share. By the 'night before Christmas', the shares had closed at $31.58. That's a small gain of 0.67%.

So long story short, there doesn't seem to be a consistent trading pattern for Wesfarmers shares in the leadup to Christmas. Last year we had a solid gain, the year before a solid loss, then a flat year, preceded by a small gain before that.

Perhaps the lesson we can take here is that no one knows what Wesfarmers shares will do this Christmas. Humans are always good at finding patterns, even when they don't exist. Wesfarmers' annual Christmas pilgrimage is a great example.

Wesfarmers is (at the time of writing) trading at a share price of $58.63 a share, up 0.09% for the day so far. At that Wesfarmers share price, this ASX 200 blue chip has a market capitalisation of $66.47 billion, with a dividend yield of 3.04%.

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 owns shares of and has recommended Wesfarmers Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

A cute young girl with curly hair sips a glass of milk through a straw with a smile on her face.
Broker Notes

Up 37% this year, why Macquarie expects A2 Milk shares to keep outperforming

Macquarie remains bullish on A2 Milk shares heading into 2026. Let’s see why.

Read more »

a man sits back from his laptop computer with both hands behind his head feeling happy to see the Brambles share price moving significantly higher today
Broker Notes

Broker tips Domino's Pizza share price to rise 54% in FY26

Ord Minnett says the current Domino's Pizza share price offers "very attractive value".

Read more »

Stock market crash concept of young man screaming at laptop on the sofa.
Share Fallers

Guess which ASX 200 stock just crashed 31% on slumping sales

The $1.3 billion ASX 200 stock is getting hammered today.

Read more »

Photo of a happy couple with their new car and car keys.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Up 55% this year, why Macquarie believes Eagers Automotive shares can charge higher

Eagers set to capitalise as BYD’s Australian sales surge.

Read more »

Two race cars on a track at sunset.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Down 36% in a year, this ASX 300 stock is one to watch

After a major sell-off, this high-performance cooling specialist might be gearing up for a turnaround.

Read more »

Two laughing young women hold shopping bags and ride an escalator up to another level in a Scentre Group shopping centre.
Broker Notes

3 ASX consumer sector shares to buy in July: expert

A leading expert has named its top 3 picks.

Read more »

person with large headphones looking puzzled holding their hand to their chin.
Broker Notes

Does Macquarie prefer Harvey Norman or JB Hi-Fi shares?

Both companies have market-beating long-term track records.

Read more »

Person taking out a slice of pizza from a pizza box.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Why now is the time to buy the big dip on Domino's shares

Down 46% in a year, a leading expert forecasts brighter days ahead for Domino’s shares.

Read more »