Westlake Corp’s Stock Yields Over 3% Amid Market Fluctuations

On Friday, shares of Westlake Corp (Symbol: WLK) offered a yield exceeding 3%, based on its quarterly dividend of $2.1. The stock traded as low as $69.47 during the day. For investors, dividends are critical as they historically contribute significantly to market returns. For example, an investment in the iShares Russell 3000 ETF (IWV) on May 31, 2000, at $78.27 per share would have seen a value drop to $77.79 by May 31, 2012, reflecting a loss of $0.48 or 0.6% over twelve years. However, dividends collected during this period totaled $10.77 per share, raising the overall return to 13.15%. In comparison, a sustainable yield above 3% appears notably attractive.

Westlake Corp is part of the Russell 3000, making it one of the largest companies on U.S. stock markets. Dividend payouts, however, can be unpredictable, influenced by the company’s profitability. Investors should assess Westlake Corp’s dividend history to determine the likelihood of maintaining the current 3% annual yield.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.