The Dow consists of stocks in which most pay dividends. I think a more accurate picture over the last 100 years for the Dow is 8% per year(including dividends). Not really all that terrible, but it aint my style to fade bear markets for years at a time to make that. I'd rather lose it or make it quick.
I wish us VMCers could live another 96 years so we could see our 100 year annualized returns. Gosh, if we could live that long at the pace some of us have been going since 2004, I think some of us would be trillionaires! Wade
It does not include dividends. I figured someone would ask about it. I suppose (as Wade implied) a 3% annual dividend is probably about right - at least in recent years. I have no idea if they paid dividends 50-100 years ago.