The Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) share price has likely put a smile on investors' faces over the last 10 years.
The stock has surged a whopping 360% since January 2013. Back then, a $1,000 investment in Fortescue shares would likely have seen one walk away with 211 securities, paying $4.73 apiece.
Today, that parcel would be worth $4,593.47. The Fortescue share price last traded at $21.77.
For comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is currently around 51% higher than it was in January 2013.
But what about all the dividends the iron ore giant has handed out over the last decade? Let's take a look at the total return Fortescue shares have provided in that time.
How much have Fortescue shares paid in dividends in 10 years?
Here are all the dividends Fortescue shares have offered since early 2013:
| Fortescue dividends' pay date | Type | Dividend amount |
| September 2022 | Final | $1.21 |
| March 2022 | Interim | 86 cents |
| September 2021 | Final | $2.11 |
| March 2021 | Interim | $1.47 |
| October 2020 | Final | $1 |
| April 2020 | Interim | 76 cents |
| October 2019 | Final | 24 cents |
| June 2019 | Special | 60 cents |
| March 2019 | Interim and special | 19 cents and 11 cents |
| October 2018 | Final | 12 cents |
| April 2018 | Interim | 11 cents |
| October 2017 | Final | 25 cents |
| April 2017 | Interim | 20 cents |
| October 2016 | Final | 12 cents |
| April 2016 | Interim | 3 cents |
| October 2015 | Final | 2 cents |
| April 2015 | Interim | 3 cents |
| October 2014 | Final | 10 cents |
| April 2014 | Interim | 10cents |
| October 2013 | Final | 10 cents |
| Total: | $9.73 |
As the chart above shows, each Fortescue share has provided investors with $9.73 in dividends over the last decade.
That means our figurative 211-share-strong parcel has yielded $2,053.03 of dividends in that time – more than double our shareholder's initial investment.
Thus, the stock boasts a return on investment (ROI) of nearly 566% over the last 10 years, including both dividends and share price gains.
Just imagine what might have happened if one compounded those returns by reinvesting their dividends.
Additionally, all dividends offered by the ASX 200 favourite in that time have been fully franked. That means they might have provided extra benefits at tax time.
Right now, Fortescue shares are trading with a 9.5% dividend yield.
