Having topped new all-time highs earlier this week, BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares have had a really strong run so far in 2026.
In fact, the Aussie mining giant has performed so well, that earlier this year it retook the biggest ASX stock crown from Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA).
And that lead has kept on growing, spurred by this year's 15% increase in global copper prices to US$14,283 per tonne, according to data from Bloomberg.
BHP currently commands a market cap of around $338.3 billion, or more than 29% higher than CBA's market cap of $261.6 billion.
So, just how well has BHP been doing this year?
I'm glad you asked!
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What a $5,000 investment in BHP shares on 2 January is worth today
On 2 January, you could have picked up shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining giant at an intraday low of $45.17 each.
So, with $5,000 you could have bought 110 BHP shares with enough change left over for a large pizza.
In early afternoon trade today, shares are changing hands for $66.81, just off Tuesday's record closing high of $67.67 per share.
That means the 110 shares you bought on 2 January would be worth $7,349 today.
But wait.
There's more.
Atop those capital gains, BHP also paid out a fully franked interim dividend of $1.039 a share on 26 March.
If we add that back into today's share price, then the accumulated value of BHP stock bought and held since 2 January is now worth (a rounded) $67.85 a share.
Which brings the accumulated value of the 110 shares you bought for $5,000 to $7,463 today. Or a gain of more than 49%, smashing the 4% gains posted by the ASX 200 over this time.
And don't forget that large pizza!
What about the upcoming BHP dividend?
BHP reported its full year FY 2026 results on 18 August.
And the ASX 200 miner pleased passive income investors with a 51.5% boost in its final dividend.
That was enabled by the company's 15% year-on-year increase in revenue to US$58.8 billion. While underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 27% to US$32.9 billion.
And with underlying profits up 30% from FY 2025 to US$13.2 billion, management declared a fully franked final dividend of $1.392 per share.
But if you sold those BHP shares you bought on 2 January today, you wouldn't receive that passive income payout.
To bank the final BHP dividend, you'll need to own the stock at market close on 2 September. You can then expect to see that passive income hit your bank account on 23 September.
