Yield during the Great Depression of the 1930s

Dr. Money wrote in The New Paper:

For example, if you bought US shares in 1929, it would have taken 28 years – until 1957 – before you got back all your investment. Other markets have taken even longer.

It is true that stocks earn 10 per cent against 3 per cent for bonds – in the long-run. But that can be very long.

Here is my perspective.

If you buy shares now, when it has dropped 50% and it takes 28 years to reach its previous peak (i.e. 100% gain from the current price), the effective yield is 2.5% per annum. If it takes a shorter time to reach the previous peak, the yield will be higher than 2.5% per annum.