The Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) share price has burned bright over the last decade. It has gained a notable 150% since February 2013.
Back then, $1,000 likely would have bought 306 shares in the coal producer at $3.26 apiece.
Today, that holding would be valued at around $2,500. The Whitehaven share price last traded at $8.17.
For comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has gained around 53% over that time.
But what would come of Whitehaven's returns if we also factor in the company's dividends? Let's take a look.
Image source: Getty Images
All the dividends from Whitehaven shares since 2013:
Here are all the dividends the ASX 200 coal producer has provided over the last decade:
| Whitehaven dividends' pay date | Type | Dividend amount |
| September 2022 | Final | 40 cents |
| March 2022 | Interim | 8 cents |
| March 2020 | Interim | 1.5 cents |
| September 2019 | Final | 13 cents |
| September 2019 | Special | 17 cents |
| March 2019 | Interim | 15 cents |
| March 2019 | Special | 5 cents |
| September 2018 | Final | 14 cents |
| September 2018 | Special | 13 cents |
| March 2018 | Interim | 13 cents |
| November 2017 | Final | 6 cents |
| November 2017 | Capital return | 14 cents |
| Total: | $1.595 |
As the chart above shows, each Whitehaven share has yielded $1.595 of dividend income over the last 10 years. That means our figurative parcel has likely provided $488.07 of passive income.
That bolsters the total return on investment (ROI) for the imagined 306-share-strong parcel to a whopping 199.5% – nearly triple the initial investment!
However, it hasn't been smooth sailing for income investors. The company's dividends have been volatile over the years.
It didn't put any on the table between 2012 and 2017 or between early 2020 and early 2022. It has also paid a number of special dividends and provided a capital return.
The company's most recent offering was also its largest ordinary dividend in history, born from soaring coal prices.
Whitehaven shares currently offer a 5.87% dividend yield.
