Basis: Trailing twelve months (TTM). Source: stored company filings and market data; unavailable inputs remain N/A.
The yield on cost (YOC) is 3.37%.
YIELD ON COST (YOC)
3.37%
SO now pays $3.00 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(2016-09-06) | $52.13 | 5.75% |
| 5 years ago(2021-09-14) | $65.97 | 4.55% |
| 3 years ago(2023-09-05) | $66.30 | 4.52% |
| 1 year ago(2025-09-09) | $91.21 | 3.29% |
| Buying today(at $88.34) | $88.34 | 3.37% |
Projection: starting from today's 3.37% yield, assuming the dividend keeps compounding at 3.0% a year — the recent growth rate of its annual payout. Boards set dividends each year, so actual figures will differ.
Today
3.37%
In 3 years
3.68%
In 5 years
3.89%
In 10 years
4.50%
Try your own purchase price, dividend and growth rate for The Southern Company (SO).
Starting Yield
3.40%
Ending YOC
5.27%
Year 15 Dividend
$4.65
Cum. Dividends Recd.
$57.33
| Year | Projected Div. / Share | YoY Dividend Hike | Yield on Cost (YOC) | Total Dividends Recd. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial | $3.00 | N/A | 3.40% | $0.00 |
| Year 1 | $3.09 | +2.97% | 3.50% | $3.09 |
| Year 2 | $3.18 | +2.97% | 3.60% | $6.27 |
| Year 3 | $3.28 | +2.97% | 3.71% | $9.55 |
| Year 4 | $3.37 | +2.97% | 3.82% | $12.92 |
| Year 5 | $3.47 | +2.97% | 3.93% | $16.39 |
| Year 6 | $3.58 | +2.97% | 4.05% | $19.97 |
| Year 7 | $3.68 | +2.97% | 4.17% | $23.65 |
| Year 8 | $3.79 | +2.97% | 4.29% | $27.44 |
| Year 9 | $3.90 | +2.97% | 4.42% | $31.34 |
| Year 10 | $4.02 | +2.97% | 4.55% | $35.36 |
| Year 11 | $4.14 | +2.97% | 4.69% | $39.50 |
| Year 12 | $4.26 | +2.97% | 4.82% | $43.77 |
| Year 13 | $4.39 | +2.97% | 4.97% | $48.15 |
| Year 14 | $4.52 | +2.97% | 5.12% | $52.67 |
| Year 15 | $4.65 | +2.97% | 5.27% | $57.33 |
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
