If you were smart enough to buy $10,000 of Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) shares a decade ago, here's how much you'd have now

We look at the benefits of long-term investing in the retail conglomerate.

| More on:
two magicians wearing dinner suits with bow ties wave their magic wands over a levitating bag with a dollars sign on it.

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

Key points

  • Wesfarmers shares have more than doubled in value over the past decade
  • When factoring in dividends, an initial investment of $10,000 has reaped almost $44,000
  • Investing in the ASX 200 with the same initial amount would have given you around $17,300

The Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) share price has made strong gains over the course of the last decade.

The retail conglomerate had a market capitalisation of around $27.66 billion in 2012 before gaining traction over the years.

During 2017, Wesfarmers' worth stood at around $37.49 billion, a 35.5% increase from 2012.

However, the decision to spin off Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) in 2018 led the value of Wesfarmers to drop. At the time, the parent company's market capitalisation hovered at $27.24 billion – almost the same as 2012.

Nonetheless, it was a smart decision by management to recalibrate the group's portfolio in order to maximise shareholder returns. The largest demerger in Australian corporate history has paid off in the years following.

Nowadays, Wesfarmers is valued at $57.12 billion, making it the ninth largest company on the ASX.

Below, we take a look at the power of long-term investing. We will calculate how much you would have made if you invested $10,000 in Wesfarmers shares a decade ago.

What was the Wesfarmers share price in 2012?

If you had invested $10,000 in Wesfarmers shares in 2012, you would have bought them for about $20.74 apiece. This would have given you approximately 482 shares, without topping up along the way.

Fast-forward to today and the current Wesfarmers share price is $50.47. This means that those 482 shares would be worth $24,326.54. When looking at percentage terms, this implies a gain of around 143%.

While this is a solid return, let's not forget that the Coles demerger also would have given you 1 Coles share for every Wesfarmers share owned.

That means you also would have 482 Coles shares, valued at $8,560.32 based on the current share price of $17.76.

So, in total you would be sitting on $32,886.86.

And the dividends?

Wesfarmers has made a sum of 25 dividend payments including special dividends paid to shareholders from 2012 to 2022.

Adding those 25 dividends payments gives us an amount of $21.08 per share. Calculating the number of shares owned against the total dividend payment gives us a figure of $10,160.56.

On the other hand, Coles has made a total of 7 bi-annual dividend payments equating to $1.87. This gives us a figure of $901.34 from the 482 Coles shares owned as a result of the demerger.

When putting both the Wesfarmers and Coles investment gains and dividend distribution, an investor would have roughly $43,948.76.

In comparison, investing the same amount in the ASX 200 would have netted you a total figure of $17,279.72.

As you can see, investing in Wesfarmers would have more doubled what you would have gotten from investing in the benchmark index.

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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 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 Dividend Investing

Man holding out Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.
Dividend Investing

With an 8% dividend yield, should I buy Woodside shares for their passive income?

A leading expert offers his take on Woodside shares and the passive income on offer.

Read more »

Male hands holding Australian dollar banknotes, symbolising dividends.
Dividend Investing

Own Vanguard ASX ETFs? Here's your next dividend and when it's coming

Vanguard has revealed the estimated dividends and payment date for scores of its ASX ETFs today.

Read more »

Excited couple celebrating success while looking at smartphone.
Dividend Investing

Analysts expect these ASX dividend stocks to offer 5% to 7% yields

Let's see which shares are being tipped as buys for income investors.

Read more »

2 workers standing in front of a wind farm giving a high five.
Dividend Investing

Is the AGL share price a buy for passive income?

Can this energy business provide strong dividend income?

Read more »

Happy couple enjoying ice cream in retirement.
Dividend Investing

Buy these ASX dividend shares for big yields

Analysts expect these buy-rated shares to offer very generous yields.

Read more »

guy helping girl invest in shares and dividends
Dividend Investing

1 ASX dividend stock down 22% I'd buy right now

This business could provide everything that cautious income investors are looking for.

Read more »

Australian dollar notes in the pocket of a man's jeans, symbolising dividends.
Dividend Investing

Big dividends: A 7% ASX ETF to buy for income this week

This ETF is a great choice when you can't find anything else...

Read more »

A woman sits at a table with notebook on lap and pen in hand as she gazes off to the side with the pen resting on the side of her face as though she is thinking and contemplating while a glass of orange juice and a pair of red sunglasses rests on the table beside her.
Dividend Investing

The smartest ASX dividend shares to buy with $3,000 right now

These businesses offer a pleasing dividend yield and great value.

Read more »