Bought $1,000 of CBA shares 10 years ago? Here's how much dividend income you've received

Have CBA's dividends really boosted its stock's 10-year return to 130%?

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Key points

  • The CBA share price has rocketed more than 70% over the last 10 years to trade at $106.44 today
  • Meanwhile, the banking goliath has paid out consistent dividends 
  • Indeed, investors holding onto CBA shares over the last decade would likely have received $39.29 per share

Shares in Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) have been an ASX dividend staple since 1991. The $180 billion bank share is also Australia's second-largest listed company.

Right now, CBA shares are trading at $106.44, having smashed through the milestone $100 mark in May 2021. That sees the stock 3.8% higher than it was at the start of this year.

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For comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has fallen 3.9% year to date.  

But if we were to rewind further back, 10 years to be exact, CBA shares were worth around $61.40 apiece. If an investor bought $1,000 worth of CBA stock back then, they likely would have walked away with 16 securities and $17 change.

The CBA share price has gained 73% since then, leaving our figurative parcel of shares valued at $1,703.04. And that's before considering the dividends offered by the banking giant.

How much have CBA shares paid in dividends in 10 years?

Here are all the dividends handed out to those invested in CBA shares over the last decade:

CBA dividends' pay dateTypeDividend amount
September 2022Final$2.10
March 2022Interim$1.75
September 2021Final$2
March 2021Interim$1.50
September 2020Final98 cents
March 2020Interim$2
September 2019Final$2.31
March 2019Interim$2
September 2018Final$2.31
March 2018Interim$2
September 2017Final$2.30
April 2017Interim$1.99
September 2016Final$2.22
March 2016Interim$1.98
October 2015Final$2.22
April 2015Interim$1.98
October 2014Final$2.18
April 2014Interim$1.83
October 2013Final$2
April 2013Interim$1.64
Total: $39.29

Anyone who invested in CBA stock in December 2012 and held tight over the years since may be happy to learn they've likely received $39.29 for every share they hold.

That means an assumed $1,000 initial investment 10 years ago has provided $628.64 in dividends. That's nearly the same amount offered by BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares in that time!

Considering both capital appreciation and dividends, $1,000 worth of CBA shares a decade ago could have doubled an investor's money in the years since. Those 16 stocks could have returned $1,331.68 on top of the figurative initial investment.

And that's all without using a dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) to compound CBA's dividends.

Finally, all offerings from the bank in that time were fully franked. Thus, they might have provided additional value come tax time.

CBA shares currently offer a 3.6% dividend yield.

Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper 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 has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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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