Basis: Trailing twelve months (TTM). Source: stored company filings and market data; unavailable inputs remain N/A.
The yield on cost (YOC) is 1.03%.
YIELD ON COST (YOC)
1.03%
VTI now pays $3.90 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) | $111.97 | 3.48% |
| 5 years ago(2021-09-01) | $233.58 | 1.67% |
| 3 years ago(2023-09-05) | $223.34 | 1.75% |
| 1 year ago(2025-09-09) | $320.98 | 1.22% |
| Buying today(at $378.09) | $378.09 | 1.03% |
Projection: starting from today's 1.03% yield, assuming the dividend keeps compounding at 6.4% a year — the recent growth rate of its annual payout. Boards set dividends each year, so actual figures will differ.
Today
1.03%
In 3 years
1.24%
In 5 years
1.40%
In 10 years
1.91%
Try your own purchase price, dividend and growth rate for Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI).
Starting Yield
1.03%
Ending YOC
2.58%
Year 15 Dividend
$9.74
Cum. Dividends Recd.
$98.64
| Year | Projected Div. / Share | YoY Dividend Hike | Yield on Cost (YOC) | Total Dividends Recd. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial | $3.90 | N/A | 1.03% | $0.00 |
| Year 1 | $4.15 | +6.29% | 1.10% | $4.15 |
| Year 2 | $4.41 | +6.29% | 1.17% | $8.55 |
| Year 3 | $4.68 | +6.29% | 1.24% | $13.23 |
| Year 4 | $4.98 | +6.29% | 1.32% | $18.21 |
| Year 5 | $5.29 | +6.29% | 1.40% | $23.50 |
| Year 6 | $5.62 | +6.29% | 1.49% | $29.13 |
| Year 7 | $5.98 | +6.29% | 1.58% | $35.10 |
| Year 8 | $6.35 | +6.29% | 1.68% | $41.46 |
| Year 9 | $6.75 | +6.29% | 1.79% | $48.21 |
| Year 10 | $7.18 | +6.29% | 1.90% | $55.39 |
| Year 11 | $7.63 | +6.29% | 2.02% | $63.02 |
| Year 12 | $8.11 | +6.29% | 2.14% | $71.13 |
| Year 13 | $8.62 | +6.29% | 2.28% | $79.75 |
| Year 14 | $9.16 | +6.29% | 2.42% | $88.91 |
| Year 15 | $9.74 | +6.29% | 2.58% | $98.64 |
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
