In fact, without dividend reinvestment they would have produced a negative return.

But like many other utilities, almost all of these water companies offer direct stock purchase and dividend reinvestment, so investors can bypass brokers.

Price is offering dividend reinvestment with this partnership and some degree of liquidity - it will buy back shares for people with emergency needs.

Companies like Coca-Cola and Intel offer dividend reinvestment plans with no fees.

Another potential drawback for spiders is that dividend reinvestment is not automatic.

While Schwab does offer free dividend reinvestment, many brokerage firms will charge a fee for that service.

The 10 stocks rose 19.6 percent, compared with 24.8 percent for the Dow 30, after dividend reinvestment.

The total return version reflects the effects of dividend reinvestment.

Finally, the net total return version reflects the effects of dividend reinvestment after the deduction of withholding tax.

Taking that long to break even in nominal terms - a bit faster, if you count dividend reinvestment - is hardly impressive.