Did you invest in CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) shares five years ago? If so, you're likely pretty happy with your decision. The biotechnology giant's stock has roared 89% higher in that time.
An investor buying $6,000 worth of CSL shares in April 2018 likely would have walked away with 37 stocks – paying $159.88 apiece – and approximately $85 change.
Today, those 37 shares would be worth a total of $11,180.66. The CSL share price last traded at $302.18.
For comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has lifted just 25% in that time.
Meanwhile, the healthcare staple has been paying out consistent dividends. Let's take a look at how much passive income the figurative holding might have yielded over its life.
All dividends paid to those holding CSL shares since 2018
Here are all the dividends paid to those invested in CSL stock over the last five years, rounded to the nearest cent:
| CSL dividends' pay date | Type | Dividend amount |
| April 2023 | Interim | $1.62 |
| October 2022 | Final | $1.76 |
| April 2022 | Interim | $1.42 |
| September 2021 | Final | $1.59 |
| April 2021 | Interim | $1.35 |
| October 2020 | Final | $1.47 |
| April 2020 | Interim | $1.47 |
| October 2019 | Final | $1.45 |
| April 2019 | Interim | $1.20 |
| October 2018 | Final | $1.28 |
| Total: | $14.61 |
As readers can see, each CSL share has yielded $14.61 in dividends over the last five years.
That means our figurative parcel has likely provided $540.57 of passive income over its lifetime – bringing our total return on investment (ROI) to an impressive 98%.
And that's before considering the compounding returns that could have been realised if one had reinvested their dividends.
Not to mention, some of the ASX 200 biotech's dividends in that time were partially franked. Thus, they may have brought additional benefits come tax time.
Right now, CSL shares offer a 1.1% dividend yield.
