Basis: Trailing twelve months (TTM). Source: stored company filings and market data; unavailable inputs remain N/A.
The yield on cost (YOC) is 2.35%.
YIELD ON COST (YOC)
2.35%
CNP now pays $0.92 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(2016-09-08) | $23.64 | 3.89% |
| 5 years ago(2021-09-16) | $24.63 | 3.74% |
| 3 years ago(2023-09-07) | $27.95 | 3.29% |
| 1 year ago(2025-09-11) | $38.24 | 2.41% |
| Buying today(at $39.11) | $39.11 | 2.35% |
Projection: starting from today's 2.35% yield, assuming the dividend keeps compounding at 7.9% a year — the recent growth rate of its annual payout. Boards set dividends each year, so actual figures will differ.
Today
2.35%
In 3 years
2.95%
In 5 years
3.43%
In 10 years
5.02%
Try your own purchase price, dividend and growth rate for CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP).
Starting Yield
2.35%
Ending YOC
3.96%
Year 15 Dividend
$1.55
Cum. Dividends Recd.
$18.42
| Year | Projected Div. / Share | YoY Dividend Hike | Yield on Cost (YOC) | Total Dividends Recd. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial | $0.92 | N/A | 2.35% | $0.00 |
| Year 1 | $0.95 | +3.53% | 2.44% | $0.95 |
| Year 2 | $0.99 | +3.53% | 2.52% | $1.94 |
| Year 3 | $1.02 | +3.53% | 2.61% | $2.96 |
| Year 4 | $1.06 | +3.53% | 2.70% | $4.02 |
| Year 5 | $1.09 | +3.53% | 2.80% | $5.11 |
| Year 6 | $1.13 | +3.53% | 2.90% | $6.24 |
| Year 7 | $1.17 | +3.53% | 3.00% | $7.42 |
| Year 8 | $1.21 | +3.53% | 3.10% | $8.63 |
| Year 9 | $1.26 | +3.53% | 3.21% | $9.89 |
| Year 10 | $1.30 | +3.53% | 3.33% | $11.19 |
| Year 11 | $1.35 | +3.53% | 3.45% | $12.54 |
| Year 12 | $1.40 | +3.53% | 3.57% | $13.93 |
| Year 13 | $1.44 | +3.53% | 3.69% | $15.38 |
| Year 14 | $1.50 | +3.53% | 3.82% | $16.87 |
| Year 15 | $1.55 | +3.53% | 3.96% | $18.42 |
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
