The cash calculation starts with shares
Estimated annual gross dividends equal shares held multiplied by the annual distribution per share. Your historical purchase cost does not change that multiplication. It changes the amount you invested and the yield measured against that investment.
For example, assume 100 shares, an average cost of USD 10, a current price of USD 12.50, and an annual distribution of USD 0.50 per share. Annual gross income is USD 50. Invested cost is USD 1,000. These are hypothetical values, not current ETF data.
Two denominators, two useful ratios
Current yield = annual distribution per share ÷ current share price
In the example, yield on cost is 5%, while current yield is 4%. Applying the current 4% yield to your USD 1,000 historical cost would give USD 40, which understates the assumed cash distributions.
The calculator displays both ratios before tax. Estimated cash income is calculated separately using shares and the distribution amount. A missing current price does not prevent calculation of income from existing holdings.
New purchases use a new price
To fill an income gap, use the current price you expect to pay, not your old average cost. The additional-purchase section rounds the required quantity up to whole shares and excludes transaction fees.
Yield on cost is not a total-return measure: it omits capital gains or losses. A high historical yield does not establish that a holding is the best purchase today. Use an adjusted average cost from your brokerage after a share split, and keep currency units consistent.