On Friday, shares of Accenture plc (Symbol: ACN) were priced at $273.19, yielding over 2% based on its quarterly dividend of $5.92. As a member of the S&P 500 Index, Accenture exemplifies the significant role dividends can play in total stock market returns. For instance, an investment in the S&P 500 ETF (SPY) from 12/31/1999 to 12/31/2012 saw a nominal loss of $4.67 per share, but dividends amounted to $25.98 per share, resulting in a 23.36% total return.
Dividends at Accenture, like other companies, may fluctuate depending on profitability, emphasizing the importance of examining dividend history to assess future sustainability and yield expectations.
