Which delivered superior returns in FY25: CSL, A2 Milk, or Telstra shares?

We review the share price growth and dividend income delivered to investors in FY25.

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Are you invested in CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M), or Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares?

In this article, we review the share price growth and dividend income delivered to CSL, A2M Milk, and Telstra investors in FY25.

Which ASX stock outdid its peers?

Which ASX share provided better returns in FY25?

Let's start our assessment by reviewing share price growth for each of these ASX shares.

The CSL share price tumbled 18.9% from its closing value of $295.21 on the last trading day of FY24 to $239.48 at the close on 30 June.

The A2 Milk share price jumped 18.3% from $6.77 per share on 28 June 2024 to $8.01 per share on 30 June.

The Telstra share price soared 33.7% from $3.62 per share on 28 June 2024 to close out this past financial year at $4.84.

So, in terms of capital growth, Telstra shares delivered the superior return.

What about dividends?

Now, let's move on to dividend income for FY25.

Over the 12 months, CSL paid a final dividend of $2.174565 per share in October 2024.

The ASX 200 healthcare share then paid an interim dividend of $2.071053 per share in April 2025.

Neither dividend carried franking credits.

That's a total of $4.245618 per share in dividends from CSL for FY25.

A2 Milk announced the company's first dividend policy in November 2024.

The company told investors that its dividend policy would target a payout ratio of between 60% and 80% of net profit after tax (NPAT), excluding non-recurring and other items (normalised NPAT).

A2 Milk shares paid their maiden interim dividend in April 2025.

The fresh milk and infant formula company paid 7.728285 cents per share unfranked.

Telstra shares paid a final dividend of 9 cents per share in September 2024.

The ASX 200 telco share then paid an interim dividend of 9.5 cents per share in March 2025.

So, Telstra investors received 18.5 cents in annual dividends with 100% franking.

Now, let's see how these dividend returns compare on a trailing dividend yield basis.

Using the closing 30 June share prices to calculate the annual trailing dividend yields:

CSL shares have a 1.77% trailing dividend.

A2 Milk shares have a 0.96% trailing dividend (Bear in mind this is based on just one dividend payment during FY25.)

Telstra shares have a 3.82% trailing dividend.

In terms of dividend income, Telstra shares delivered the best return.

What's ahead for Telstra shares in FY26?

Macquarie has an outperform rating on Telstra shares for FY26.

The broker's 12-month share price target is $5.28.

The Telstra share price is $4.85, down 0.72%, on Friday.

Therefore, the broker's target suggests a potential 9% upside for investors this financial year.

Macquarie expects Telstra shares to pay fully franked dividends of 22 cents per share in FY26.

Based on its current share price of $4.85, this would mean a fully franked dividend yield of 4.5%.

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in CSL. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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