Comparing Stocks
The Compare Dividend Returns tool at /compare-dividend-returns lets you run a live DRIP backtest and compare fundamentals across up to 15 tickers side by side.
Past DRIP performance is not a forecast.
The simulation shows what would have happened if you invested $10,000 and reinvested every dividend over your chosen period — using actual historical prices and dividend payments. It answers "how did these names compound?" not "what will they do next?"
How to Use It
1. Add tickers
Type a symbol in the search box and press Enter or click Add. Autocomplete suggests matches as you type. Remove a ticker by clicking the X on its badge. You can compare up to 15 stocks or ETFs at once.
You can also arrive with tickers pre-loaded via URL: ?stocks=AAPL,MSFT,JNJ&period=5Y
2. Choose a time range
Select 1M, 3M, 6M, 1Y, 5Y, 10Y, or Max. The DRIP chart and simulation table update automatically. Each ticker gets a distinct color on the chart for easy comparison.
3. Read the DRIP performance chart
The line chart plots portfolio value over time for a $10,000 starting investment with dividends reinvested (DRIP). The backend runs a live simulation using historical prices and actual dividend payment records for each ticker in the selected range.
What the Simulation Shows
Key insight cards
Three summary cards highlight the leader in each dimension for your selected period:
- Best Total Return — highest cumulative return including reinvested dividends
- Highest Dividend Income — most cash dividends collected over the period
- Best Avg Annual Return — best annualized return rate
Simulation summary table
For each ticker, the table shows start/end dates, starting and ending portfolio value, total dividends paid, start/end share price, share count growth (start → end shares), and total return percentage.
Current Data Comparison
Below the simulation, a live fundamentals table pulls current quote data for every selected ticker. Metrics are grouped into four sections:
Analyst Ratings
Rating, analyst consensus, and mean 12-month price target. Not available for ETFs — those cells show N/A.
Dividend Information
Dividend yield, annual dividend (TTM), payout ratio, 5-year dividend growth CAGR, and years of consecutive increases. For ETFs, annual dividend and yield may be derived from payment history when the quote row lacks TTM fields.
Margins
Gross, operating, and net profit margins (TTM). Hidden for ETF-only comparisons — funds don't have traditional income-statement margins in our data source.
Financial Health
P/E ratio, debt-to-equity, and return on equity (TTM). Also unavailable for ETFs.
Limitations to keep in mind
- No taxes or fees. The simulation assumes full DRIP with no brokerage commissions, withholding tax, or slippage.
- Historical data gaps. Very old tickers, recent IPOs, or OTC names may return partial or empty simulation results.
- ETF fundamentals differ. Many stock-only metrics are N/A for ETFs by design — compare yield and DRIP returns instead.
- Not investment advice. High historical DRIP return does not guarantee future income or price performance.
Still have questions? Visit the Help Center or email us at customerservice@dividend-wealth.com