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Highlights
- Santos and Wesfarmers show notable share price momentum in 2025
- Dividend yields provide insights into company valuation trends
- Both firms belong to the ASX200 stocks universe
Two established names from the ASX200 stocks list — Santos Ltd (STO) and Wesfarmers Ltd (WES) — have recently shown momentum worth a closer look. Their share price activity, dividend trends, and underlying business strength signal varying investor interest in 2025.
Santos (ASX:STO): Resource Sector Pulse
Santos Ltd has delivered a 12.4% increase in its share price since the beginning of 2025, reflecting renewed optimism in the energy sector. The company is one of Australia’s largest oil and gas producers, with a legacy dating back to the 1950s. Its operations span major oil and gas fields connected by a robust pipeline and infrastructure network.
However, the company is under the spotlight for its climate commitments. Its current target is net-zero emissions for Scope 1 and 2 by 2040. That said, Scope 3 emissions — which arise from the end-use of its products — account for more than 75% of its total emissions and are not currently included in the net-zero goal. Legal scrutiny has recently intensified around these omissions.
From a dividend perspective, Santos’ yield currently sits around 4.89%, which is higher than its five-year average of 4.64%. This may suggest that shares are priced attractively, though a falling dividend last year indicates some caution. Such metrics are often used to track how companies maintain shareholder payouts during varying market conditions.
Wesfarmers (ASX:WES): Retail and Beyond
Wesfarmers has seen its share price rise substantially, now 31.8% above its 52-week lows. Founded in 1914, this Perth-based conglomerate has evolved into a multi-sector heavyweight with operations across retail, chemicals, and industrial products. Its largest profit contributor remains Bunnings, Australia’s dominant home improvement retailer.
Wesfarmers is known for acquiring businesses, scaling them, and driving growth — an approach often likened to private equity. The acquisition and later demerger of Coles Group is one of its best-known success stories.
The current dividend yield for Wesfarmers is around 2.36%, which is notably below its five-year average of 3.36%. This could reflect the rising share price or suggest tightening returns relative to historical payouts.
Both Santos and Wesfarmers remain integral components of the ASX200, with distinct sector exposures and investor considerations. While Santos rides the energy market wave with ongoing environmental scrutiny, Wesfarmers continues to capitalise on its diversified growth model. Investors closely watching ASX200 stocks will likely find these names worth tracking as 2025 progresses.
