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About CATO Dividend Returns

The Cato Corporation (CATO) does not currently pay dividends. Many growth-focused companies reinvest profits back into the business rather than distributing them as dividends.

How We Calculate Total Return

Our total return calculator simulates dividend reinvestment (DRIP) by assuming each dividend payment is used to purchase additional shares at the closing price on the ex-dividend date. This methodology provides an accurate representation of how a dividend reinvestment plan would perform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1What is the total return of CATO over the past year?

The Cato Corporation (CATO) delivered a return of 14.98% over the past year. Since CATO does not currently pay dividends, the total return equals the price-only return.

Q2How much would $10,000 invested in CATO be worth today?

A $10,000 investment in The Cato Corporation one year ago would be worth $11,498 today, representing a gain of $1,498.

Q3Does CATO pay dividends?

The Cato Corporation (CATO) does not currently pay dividends. Many growth-focused companies reinvest profits back into the business rather than distributing them as dividends. For CATO, the total return equals the price-only return.

Q4Did CATO beat the S&P 500?

No, The Cato Corporation (CATO) underperformed the S&P 500 by 10.01 percentage points over the past year. CATO delivered a total return of 14.98%, compared to the S&P 500's 24.99%. This means a passive S&P 500 index fund outperformed CATO by 10.01pp during this period.

Q5What is CATO's worst drawdown?

The Cato Corporation (CATO) experienced a maximum drawdown of -43.64% over the past year, declining from its peak on 2025-09-08 to its trough on 2026-03-26. The stock has not yet fully recovered to its prior peak. Maximum drawdown measures the worst peak-to-trough decline and is an important risk metric for investors.

Q6What is CATO's long-term total return over 10, 20, or 30 years?

Here are The Cato Corporation (CATO)'s long-term returns with dividends reinvested. Over 10 years, the total return is -72.3% (-12.0% CAGR) — $10,000 would have grown to $2,774. Over 20 years: -9.9% total return (-0.5% CAGR) — $10,000 → $9,005. Over 30 years: 402.1% total return (5.5% CAGR) — $10,000 → $50,207. Long-term investors benefit from compounding: dividends buy additional shares, which generate their own dividends, creating an exponential growth effect.

Q7What was CATO's best and worst year?

The Cato Corporation's best calendar year was 2021 with a total return of 93.9%. Its worst year was 2017 with a total return of -42.9%. This range shows the volatility investors should expect — the difference between the best and worst year is 136.8 percentage points.

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