Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares have strongly outperformed the benchmark over the past 12 months.
Since this time last year, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) telco has gained 10%.
That compares quite favourably to the 0.8% loss posted by the ASX 200 over this same period.
But Telstra shares offer more than the potential for gains in the share price.
The stock is also well-known for delivering investors with a reliable passive income stream.
The company has a lengthy track record of paying two annual fully franked dividends. It even came through during the pandemic addled year of 2020.
During the past year, Telstra paid out a final dividend of 8.5 cents per share on 21 September. The telco paid its interim dividend, also 8.5 cents per share, a few weeks ago, on 31 March.
That comes out to a total, fully franked payout over the last 12 months of 17 cents per share.
At the current Telstra share price of $4.37, that equates to a trailing yield of 3.9%.
Or a handy $39 in passive income from a $1,000 investment.
While that yield will be welcomed by most shareholders, particularly coming atop the share price gains, some ASX 200 investors will be earning a significantly higher yield from their Telstra shares.
Did you take the plunge last June?
Telstra shares came under pressure alongside the broader market in the first half of June last year.
On 14 June, shares closed the day trading for $3.75 apiece.
Brave, lucky, or perhaps well-advised investors who bought shares towards the end of that day would have still been eligible for both of the company's dividend payouts.
And they would be earning significantly more yield from their Telstra shares today than most shareholders.
If you'd bought shares on the day you'd be earning a fully franked yield of 4.5%.
Or a welcome $45 in passive income from a $1000 investment. Not to mention a 16.5% gain in the share price.
And that is only 10 and a half months.
While trying to time these kinds of dips comes with its own set of risks, when you get it right it can be quite rewarding.
How have Telstra shares performed longer-term?
As long-term investors, it pays to look beyond a company's performance over the past few months.
As for Telstra shares, they've gained 35% over the past five years. That figure doesn't include the twice-annual dividends.
