Basis: Trailing twelve months (TTM). Source: stored company filings and market data; unavailable inputs remain N/A.
The yield on cost (YOC) is 1.25%.
YIELD ON COST (YOC)
1.25%
WSM now pays $2.84 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(2016-09-07) | $25.87 | 10.98% |
| 5 years ago(2021-09-15) | $92.13 | 3.08% |
| 3 years ago(2023-09-06) | $70.40 | 4.03% |
| 1 year ago(2025-09-10) | $202.67 | 1.40% |
| Buying today(at $231.90) | $231.90 | 1.25% |
Projection: starting from today's 1.25% yield, assuming the dividend keeps compounding at 20.4% a year — the recent growth rate of its annual payout. Boards set dividends each year, so actual figures will differ.
Today
1.25%
In 3 years
2.18%
In 5 years
3.17%
In 10 years
8.05%
Try your own purchase price, dividend and growth rate for Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (WSM).
Starting Yield
1.22%
Ending YOC
21.26%
Year 15 Dividend
$49.31
Cum. Dividends Recd.
$268.18
| Year | Projected Div. / Share | YoY Dividend Hike | Yield on Cost (YOC) | Total Dividends Recd. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial | $2.84 | N/A | 1.22% | $0.00 |
| Year 1 | $3.44 | +20.96% | 1.48% | $3.44 |
| Year 2 | $4.16 | +20.96% | 1.79% | $7.59 |
| Year 3 | $5.03 | +20.96% | 2.17% | $12.62 |
| Year 4 | $6.08 | +20.96% | 2.62% | $18.70 |
| Year 5 | $7.35 | +20.96% | 3.17% | $26.05 |
| Year 6 | $8.90 | +20.96% | 3.84% | $34.95 |
| Year 7 | $10.76 | +20.96% | 4.64% | $45.71 |
| Year 8 | $13.02 | +20.96% | 5.61% | $58.72 |
| Year 9 | $15.74 | +20.96% | 6.79% | $74.46 |
| Year 10 | $19.04 | +20.96% | 8.21% | $93.51 |
| Year 11 | $23.03 | +20.96% | 9.93% | $116.54 |
| Year 12 | $27.86 | +20.96% | 12.01% | $144.40 |
| Year 13 | $33.70 | +20.96% | 14.53% | $178.11 |
| Year 14 | $40.77 | +20.96% | 17.58% | $218.87 |
| Year 15 | $49.31 | +20.96% | 21.26% | $268.18 |
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
