Bought $10,000 worth of CBA shares 5 years ago? Guess how much passive income you've already banked

There are good reasons many passive income investors favour CBA shares.

| More on:
Close-up of a business man's hand stacking gold coins into piles on a desktop.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points

  • Commonwealth Bank of Australia has provided strong passive income through fully franked dividends, attracting income investors even during challenging periods like 2020.
  • Following impressive share price gains of 145.1% since October 2020, recent buyers are experiencing a reduced dividend yield compared to earlier investors.
  • Over the last five years, investors who bought CBA shares have received significant dividends, with recent reports indicating a 7% increase in profits, leading to a 4% boost in annual dividend payments.

You're likely familiar with the outsized share price gains posted by Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) in recent years, but how about the passive income the bank has delivered?

CBA has long been popular among income investors for its lengthy track record of paying out two fully franked dividends per year, even during the pandemic-affected year of 2020.

Now, following on the strong share price gains, passive income investors buying the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) bank stock over the past two years will be earning a diminishing dividend yield relative to those who bought shares before the bank's bull run picked up steam.

We'll look at how those dividends have stacked up over the last five years below.

As for those capital gains, CBA shares closed yesterday trading for $172.70 apiece.

This sees shares in Australia's biggest bank, and the biggest stock on the ASX by market cap, up an impressive 147% since market close on 23 October 2020.

As for that added income boost…

Banking passive income from CBA shares

Near market close on 23 October 2020, you could have picked up CBA shares for $69.90 apiece.

Meaning for $10,000, you could have bought 143 CBA shares, with enough change left over for a can of Coke.

If you'd held tight to those shares ever since, you would then have been eligible to receive the last 10 CBA dividend payments.

According to my trusty calculator, those 10 dividends work out to a total passive income payout of $21.35 per share.

So, the 143 CBA shares you bought five years ago for $10,000 have already delivered $3,053.05 in fully franked dividends.

And remember, at Monday's closing price, those shares are now valued at $24,696.1.

So, if we add that passive income back in, then the accumulated value of the CBA shares you bought five years ago for $10,000 works out to $27,749.15 today.

What's the latest from CommBank stock?

CBA reported its full-year FY 2025 results on 13 August.

Highlights included a 7% year-on-year lift in statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) to $10.13 billion. The ASX 200 bank's cash net profit after tax of $10.25 billion was up 4%.

In line with that profit boost, management lifted the passive income payout by 4%.

CBA paid out the final fully franked FY 2025 dividend of $2.60 per share on 29 September. That brought the full-year dividend payout to $4.85 per share.

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Dividend Investing

A group of businesspeople clapping.
Dividend Investing

Analysts name 3 of the best ASX dividend shares to buy

Analysts are feeling bullish about these names. Let's find out why.

Read more »

Man holding out Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.
Dividend Investing

Forget CBA shares! Buy these ASX dividend shares instead for passive income

CBA is not the first blue-chip stock I’d buy for dividends.

Read more »

Person handing out $50 notes, symbolising ex-dividend date.
Dividend Investing

An ASX dividend stalwart every Australian should consider buying

This business is a compelling investment for income investors.

Read more »

A businessman hugs his computer and smiles.
Dividend Investing

1 marvellous Australian dividend stock down 20% to buy and hold right now

Analysts think that now could be the time to invest in this stock.

Read more »

Two plants grow in jars filled with coins.
Dividend Investing

I'd buy 3,483 shares of this ASX stock to aim for $2,000 a year of passive income

This ASX dividend share offers big dividend income.

Read more »

Two plants grow in jars filled with coins.
Dividend Investing

These US stocks are growing their dividends like crazy

Most ASX shares can't match these income titans.

Read more »

Man holding Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.
Dividend Investing

A perfect passive income stock: 0.48% payout each month

If you like monthly dividends, you'll love this ETF.

Read more »

Beautiful young couple enjoying in shopping, symbolising passive income.
Dividend Investing

Forget term deposits and buy these ASX dividend shares

Analysts are feeling positive about these income options.

Read more »