If you invested $1,000 in AGL Energy Limited (ASX: AGL) shares in early 2013, you might be disappointed in your investment so far. Fortunately, however, the company's dividends have offset the worst of its stock's performance.
The energy provider's share price has crumbled in recent years amid rising demand for greener power. AGL is Australia's biggest greenhouse gas emitter. Thus, it's been centre to such conversations – and it's started a few of its own.
The company's initial proposal to spin off its dirtiest assets was dramatically scrapped last year, replaced with a $20 billion plan to ditch coal in favour of renewables.
Its plan for a greener future, alongside the soaring energy sector, saw the AGL share price gain 28% last year. Zooming out, however, shows a bleaker picture.
The AGL share price has crashed around 45% over the last decade. A $1,000 investment in the energy giant in early 2013 would likely have seen a buyer walk away with 68 shares, paying $14.57 apiece, and $9 change.
Today, that parcel would be worth just $548.76. The AGL share price last traded at $8.07.
For comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has gained 49% over the last 10 years.
Have AGL's dividends made up for its share price's poor performance in that time? Let's take a look.
How much have AGL shares paid in dividends in 10 years?
Here are all the dividends AGL has offered over the last decade:
| AGL dividends' pay date | Type | Dividend amount |
| September 2022 | Final | 10 cents |
| March 2022 | Interim | 16 cents |
| September 2021 | Final | 34 cents |
| March 2021 | Interim | 31 cents |
| March 2021 | Special | 10 cents |
| September 2020 | Final | 51 cents |
| March 2020 | Interim | 47 cents |
| September 2019 | Final | 64 cents |
| March 2019 | Interim | 55 cents |
| September 2018 | Final | 63 cents |
| March 2018 | Interim | 54 cents |
| September 2017 | Final | 50 cents |
| March 2017 | Interim | 41 cents |
| September 2016 | Final | 36 cents |
| March 2016 | Interim | 32 cents |
| September 2015 | Final | 34 cents |
| March 2015 | Interim | 30 cents |
| September 2014 | Final | 33 cents |
| April 2014 | Interim | 30 cents |
| September 2013 | Final | 33 cents |
| April 2013 | Interim | 30 cents |
| Total: | $7.84 |
While those invested in AGL shares haven't realised much in the way of gains over the last decade, the company's dividends have at least seen them break even.
The company has paid out $7.84 per share in that time, meaning our figurative parcel would have yielded $533.12 in dividend income in that time.
That leaves our imagined $1,000 purchase – considering both the AGL share price's slump and the company's offerings – with an 8.2% return on investment (ROI) over the last 10 years.
Additionally, many of the ASX 200 giant's dividends have been franked. That means they might have brought extra benefits for some investors at tax time.
AGL shares are currently trading with a 3.2% dividend yield.
