Basis: Trailing twelve months (TTM). Source: stored company filings and market data; unavailable inputs remain N/A.
The yield on cost (YOC) is 2.88%.
YIELD ON COST (YOC)
2.88%
AEO now pays $0.50 per share a year. Measured against the price it actually traded at back then, a long-term holder is earning:
| If you bought | Price then | Yield on cost today |
|---|---|---|
| 10 years ago(2016-08-30) | $18.57 | 2.69% |
| 5 years ago(2021-09-08) | $26.47 | 1.89% |
| 3 years ago(2023-08-29) | $16.57 | 3.02% |
| 1 year ago(2025-09-03) | $13.62 | 3.67% |
| Buying today(at $17.23) | $17.23 | 2.88% |
Projection: starting from today's 2.88% yield, assuming the dividend keeps compounding at -11.6% a year — the recent growth rate of its annual payout. Boards set dividends each year, so actual figures will differ.
Today
2.88%
In 3 years
1.99%
In 5 years
1.56%
In 10 years
0.85%
Try your own purchase price, dividend and growth rate for American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (AEO).
Starting Yield
2.90%
Ending YOC
17.43%
Year 15 Dividend
$3.00
Cum. Dividends Recd.
$22.23
| Year | Projected Div. / Share | YoY Dividend Hike | Yield on Cost (YOC) | Total Dividends Recd. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial | $0.50 | N/A | 2.90% | $0.00 |
| Year 1 | $0.56 | +12.70% | 3.27% | $0.56 |
| Year 2 | $0.64 | +12.70% | 3.68% | $1.20 |
| Year 3 | $0.72 | +12.70% | 4.15% | $1.91 |
| Year 4 | $0.81 | +12.70% | 4.68% | $2.72 |
| Year 5 | $0.91 | +12.70% | 5.27% | $3.63 |
| Year 6 | $1.02 | +12.70% | 5.94% | $4.65 |
| Year 7 | $1.15 | +12.70% | 6.70% | $5.81 |
| Year 8 | $1.30 | +12.70% | 7.55% | $7.11 |
| Year 9 | $1.47 | +12.70% | 8.51% | $8.58 |
| Year 10 | $1.65 | +12.70% | 9.59% | $10.23 |
| Year 11 | $1.86 | +12.70% | 10.81% | $12.09 |
| Year 12 | $2.10 | +12.70% | 12.18% | $14.19 |
| Year 13 | $2.37 | +12.70% | 13.73% | $16.56 |
| Year 14 | $2.67 | +12.70% | 15.47% | $19.22 |
| Year 15 | $3.00 | +12.70% | 17.43% | $22.23 |
Yield on cost is the dividend yield measured against your original purchase price, not today's price. As a company raises its dividend, the yield on what you actually paid keeps rising even when the market yield holds steady.
Expanded definitions: Investopedia, Wikipedia, Corporate Finance Institute
