Did you buy Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares in March 2018 and hold onto them? If so, pat yourself on the back – your investment has outperformed the market so far.
The Woolworths share price has gained a whopping 66% over the last five years – rising from around $22.48 to trade at $37.37 at Thursday's close.
That means a $10,000 investment back then would have bought 444 Woolworths shares. That parcel would be worth $16,592 today.
Meanwhile, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has lifted around 20%.
And that's all before we consider the dividends on offer from the supermarket operator in that time.
How much have Woolworths shares paid in dividends in 5 years?
Take a look at all the dividends paid to those holding Woolworths shares since March 2018:
| Westpac dividends' pay date | Type | Dividend amount |
| September 2022 | Final | 53 cents |
| April 2022 | Interim | 39 cents |
| October 2021 | Final | 55 cents |
| April 2021 | Interim | 53 cents |
| October 2020 | Final | 48 cents |
| April 2020 | Interim | 46 cents |
| September 2019 | Final | 57 cents |
| April 2019 | Interim | 45 cents |
| October 2018 | Final | 50 cents |
| October 2018 | Special | 10 cents |
| April 2018 | Interim | 43 cents |
| Total: | $4.99 |
Those invested in Woolworths shares over the last five years have likely realised $4.99 of dividends per stock owned in that time.
That means our figurative $10,000 parcel has probably yielded around $2,215.56 of passive income, supporting a notable total return on investment (ROI) of 88%.
And, of course, Woolworths shareholders received one Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV) stock for each Woolies security held when the supermarket giant divested the business in 2021.
Not to mention, had a shareholder reinvested their dividends, they likely would have realised some impressive compound gains.
Considering all the offerings paid by Woolworths over the last 12 months, the share boasts a 2.46% dividend yield right now. The company will pay out its next dividend – worth 46 cents per share – in April.
