The world – and the ASX – was a different place in April 2020. Most of us were likely locked down that month as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold around the world. Meanwhile, units in the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) were trading for just $68.16 in the midst of the uncertainty.
If you were quick thinking enough to sink $10,000 into the exchange-traded fund (ETF) tracking the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) at that point in time, you likely would have walked away with 146 units.
Today, that parcel would be worth $13,268.48. The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF last traded at $90.88 – 33% higher than it was this time three years ago.
For comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has gained 36% in that time.
But what about the dividends on offer from the ETF? Let's factor them into the fund's returns.
All dividends paid to those invested in the VAS ETF since 2020
Here are all the quarterly offerings paid by the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF in the last three years, rounded to the nearest cent:
| VAS dividends' pay date | Dividend value |
| January 2023 | 75 cents |
| October 2022 | $1.45 |
| July 2022 | $2.16 |
| April 2022 | $2 |
| January 2022 | 70 cents |
| October 2021 | $1.41 |
| July 2021 | 56 cents |
| April 2021 | 77 cents |
| January 2021 | 43 cents |
| October 2020 | 57 cents |
| July 2020 | 21 cents |
| April 2020 | 67 cents |
| Total: | $11.68 |
As readers can see, each of the ETF's units has yielded $11.68 since April 2020.
That means our figurative $10,000 investment has provided $1,705.28 in passive income over its lifetime – bringing its total return on investment (ROI) to 50%.
And that's before considering the franking credits also provided by the ETF. They may have provided tax benefits for some investors.
The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF's next dividend is worth approximately 58 cents and will be paid later this month.
Taking that payout into account, the ETF currently boasts a 5.4% dividend yield.
