So how have the high dividend paying Dogs of the Dow and the Small Dogs of the Dow performed? The included chart and table answers that question. What the data shows is that, over the long-term, the performance of the Dogs of the Dow and the Small Dogs of the Dow has been impressive. For example, since the turn of the century, the Dogs of the Dow had an average annual total return of 8.7%. The Small Dogs of the Dow have fared even better — gaining an average of 9.3% per year — notable considering that the time period involved included the dot-com bust, a historic financial crisis and a pandemic induced economic shut down.
Dogs of the Dow X and Small Dogs of the Dow X have done even better. Since the turn of the century, Dogs of the Dow X has an average annual total return of 9.9% while Small Dogs of the Dow X did even better with an average annual total return of 12.1%. Noticeably better than the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
The following table presents the total returns for recent calendar years. For an update on this year’s performance, try our YTD performance tables and Dogs of the Dow X.
| Investment | Symbol | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dogs of the Dow | - | 2.6% | 20.8% | 23.7% | 0.0% | 19.7% |
| Small Dogs of the Dow | - | 10.3% | 14.3% | 12.8% | 0.8% | 9.7% |
| Dogs of the Dow X | - | 8.1% | 23.9% | 23.8% | 5.1% | 17.3% |
| Small Dogs of the Dow X | - | 14.3% | 13.4% | 20.5% | 14.3% | 9.2% |
| Dow Jones Industrials | - | 0.2% | 16.5% | 28.1% | -3.5% | 25.3% |
| S&P 500 | - | 1.4% | 12.0% | 21.8% | -4.4% | 31.5% |
| Fidelity Magellan | FMAGX | 4.1% | 5.2% | 26.5% | -5.6% | 31.2% |
| Vanguard Index 500 | VFINX | 1.3% | 11.8% | 21.7% | -4.5% | 31.3% |
Note 1: All total returns are calculated using reinvested dividends.
Note 2: The effects of commissions/loads are not included.
Note 3: All data is believed to be from reliable sources.
Note 4: Past performance is in no way a guarantee of future results.
Note 5: The above listed mutual funds were selected for comparison due to the fact that they are among the largest U.S. domestic growth equity funds.
