S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats- 2009
S&P Monthly Dividend Action Report
Issue Indicated Dividend Rate Change
HISTORICAL YIELD
From December 1936 through March 2009 the average yield for the S&P 500 was 3.814% vs. 3.815% for December 2008. The current 12-month dividend yield is 3.42% vs. the 3.14 yield for December 2008. The yield is based on the cash dividends paid over the prior four quarters and the closing quarterly price.
HISTORICAL TOTAL RETURN
From January 1926 through March 2009 the annualized total return for the S&P 500 was 9.51% per year vs. 9.69% for December 2008. The dividend component consists of 44.00% of the return vs. 43.27% for December 2008. The annualized return consists of both capital appreciation and dividends reinvested.