Basis: Latest reported fiscal year. Source: stored company filings and market data; unavailable inputs remain N/A.
The yield on cost (YOC) is 3.06%.
YIELD ON COST (YOC)
3.06%
SO now pays $2.98 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(2016-07-20) | $53.33 | 5.59% |
| 5 years ago(2021-07-28) | $63.99 | 4.66% |
| 3 years ago(2023-07-19) | $70.14 | 4.25% |
| 1 year ago(2025-07-23) | $95.13 | 3.13% |
| Buying today(at $97.25) | $97.25 | 3.06% |
Projection: starting from today's 3.06% yield, assuming the dividend keeps compounding at its historical 3.0% rate. Boards set dividends each year, so actual figures will differ.
Today
3.06%
In 3 years
3.44%
In 5 years
3.71%
In 10 years
4.50%
Try your own purchase price, dividend and growth rate for The Southern Company (SO).
Starting Yield
3.06%
Ending YOC
4.75%
Year 15 Dividend
$4.62
Cum. Dividends Recd.
$56.95
| Year | Projected Div. / Share | YoY Dividend Hike | Yield on Cost (YOC) | Total Dividends Recd. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial | $2.98 | N/A | 3.06% | $0.00 |
| Year 1 | $3.07 | +2.97% | 3.16% | $3.07 |
| Year 2 | $3.16 | +2.97% | 3.25% | $6.23 |
| Year 3 | $3.25 | +2.97% | 3.35% | $9.48 |
| Year 4 | $3.35 | +2.97% | 3.44% | $12.83 |
| Year 5 | $3.45 | +2.97% | 3.55% | $16.28 |
| Year 6 | $3.55 | +2.97% | 3.65% | $19.83 |
| Year 7 | $3.66 | +2.97% | 3.76% | $23.49 |
| Year 8 | $3.77 | +2.97% | 3.87% | $27.26 |
| Year 9 | $3.88 | +2.97% | 3.99% | $31.14 |
| Year 10 | $3.99 | +2.97% | 4.11% | $35.13 |
| Year 11 | $4.11 | +2.97% | 4.23% | $39.24 |
| Year 12 | $4.23 | +2.97% | 4.35% | $43.47 |
| Year 13 | $4.36 | +2.97% | 4.48% | $47.83 |
| Year 14 | $4.49 | +2.97% | 4.62% | $52.32 |
| Year 15 | $4.62 | +2.97% | 4.75% | $56.95 |
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
