How much has the Telstra share price paid in dividends over the last 5 years?

Telstra dividends have been a consistent source of income for investors.

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A young female investor with brown curly hair and wearing a yellow top and glasses sits at her desk using her calculator to work out how much her ASX dividend shares will pay this year

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Key points

  • The Telstra share price has hit strong lows and highs throughout the past 5 years 
  • Nonetheless, the company has consistently paid dividends to shareholders even through economic downturns 
  • In total, Telstra has paid 93.5 cents in dividends from September 2017 until now 

Despite being a blue-chip company, the Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) share price has been a disappointment over the past 5 years.

In June 2018, the telco provider's shares hit a low of $2.62 before climbing to around the $4 mark in August 2019.

But this was short-lived as its shares plummeted once again to about $2.68 in October 2020 only to regain composure.

While Telstra shares don't have a strong growth profile, it is the bi-annual income from its dividends that investors seek.

Generally, the company has paid out consistent dividends even in times of recession such as the COVID-19 era.

Let's take a look below.

A rundown on the Telstra dividend history

Here's a list of the Telstra dividends that have been paid out to shareholders over the last 5 years.

  • September 2017 – 15.5 cents (final)
  • March 2018 – 11 cents (interim)
  • September 2018 – 11 cents (final)
  • March 2019 – 8 cents (interim)
  • September 2019 – 8 cents (final)
  • March 2020 – 8 cents (interim)
  • September 2020 – 8 cents (final)
  • March 2021 – 8 cents (interim)
  • September 2021 – 8 cents (final)
  • April 2022 – 8 cents (interim)

Telstra has paid a total of 93.5 cents in dividends to shareholders from September 2017 until now. This is quite significant given its shares trade at $3.90 apiece.

However, it's worth noting that the company's dividends have begun to slowly dwindle over the years.

With the extreme volatility impacting the ASX, Telstra is expected to maintain the current 8 cents per share fully-franked dividend.

Telstra share price snapshot

Similar to its performance over the long-term, Telstra shares have moved in circles over the last 12 months, up 4%.

When looking at year-to-date, its shares have been impacted by strong inflationary movements and interest rate hikes, down 7%.

Telstra commands a market capitalisation of roughly $44.60 billion and has a dividend yield of 2.83%.

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has positions in Telstra Corporation Limited. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Corporation Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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