Investing.com-- Australian consumer sentiment deteriorated further in May, a private survey showed on Tuesday, as persistent concerns over sticky inflation and high for longer rates sparked little optimism over the economy.
Westpac Banking Corp (WEBNF) recently announced a dividend of $0.15 per share, payable on 2024-06-25, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-05-09. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's look into Westpac Banking Corp's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.
(Reuters) -Australian bank Westpac raised its share repurchase programme by A$1 billion ($661 million) and declared a special dividend on Monday citing a strong balance sheet, even as its first-half profit fell 16% on tight competition and high costs. Traditionally beneficiaries of rising interest rates, the country's so-called Big Four lenders have spent the past year sacrificing margins to write new home loans and paying more to depositors, narrowing their closely watched "net interest margin". Westpac's net interest margin slipped to 1.89%, down 7 basis points from a year earlier, while net interest income remained largely flat at A$9.13 billion.