Total return is ~4.3% nominal ~2% real annualized since Jan 2000, ~7.5% nominal ~5.4% real annualized since Jul 2005. Total return isn't a perfect measurement (

Total return is ~4.3% nominal ~2% real annualized since Jan 2000, ~7.5% nominal ~5.4% real annualized since Jul 2005. Total return isn't a perfect measurement (particularly due to taxation of dividends), but its a much more useful number. Over a long term, dividend reinvestment makes a huge difference.