Basis: Latest reported fiscal year. Source: stored company filings and market data; unavailable inputs remain N/A.
The yield on cost (YOC) is 0.68%.
YIELD ON COST (YOC)
0.68%
CAT now pays $6.04 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(2016-07-19) | $79.74 | 7.57% |
| 5 years ago(2021-07-27) | $209.90 | 2.88% |
| 3 years ago(2023-07-28) | $260.43 | 2.32% |
| 1 year ago(2025-07-22) | $417.19 | 1.45% |
| Buying today(at $888.73) | $888.73 | 0.68% |
Projection: starting from today's 0.68% yield, assuming the dividend keeps compounding at its historical 7.2% rate. Boards set dividends each year, so actual figures will differ.
Today
0.68%
In 3 years
0.93%
In 5 years
1.14%
In 10 years
1.91%
Try your own purchase price, dividend and growth rate for Caterpillar Inc. (CAT).
Starting Yield
0.68%
Ending YOC
1.94%
Year 15 Dividend
$17.21
Cum. Dividends Recd.
$165.67
| Year | Projected Div. / Share | YoY Dividend Hike | Yield on Cost (YOC) | Total Dividends Recd. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial | $6.04 | N/A | 0.68% | $0.00 |
| Year 1 | $6.48 | +7.23% | 0.73% | $6.48 |
| Year 2 | $6.94 | +7.23% | 0.78% | $13.42 |
| Year 3 | $7.45 | +7.23% | 0.84% | $20.87 |
| Year 4 | $7.99 | +7.23% | 0.90% | $28.85 |
| Year 5 | $8.56 | +7.23% | 0.96% | $37.42 |
| Year 6 | $9.18 | +7.23% | 1.03% | $46.60 |
| Year 7 | $9.85 | +7.23% | 1.11% | $56.44 |
| Year 8 | $10.56 | +7.23% | 1.19% | $67.00 |
| Year 9 | $11.32 | +7.23% | 1.27% | $78.32 |
| Year 10 | $12.14 | +7.23% | 1.37% | $90.46 |
| Year 11 | $13.02 | +7.23% | 1.46% | $103.48 |
| Year 12 | $13.96 | +7.23% | 1.57% | $117.44 |
| Year 13 | $14.97 | +7.23% | 1.68% | $132.41 |
| Year 14 | $16.05 | +7.23% | 1.81% | $148.46 |
| Year 15 | $17.21 | +7.23% | 1.94% | $165.67 |
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
