Stock Calculator

Calculate stock returns, profit/loss, capital gains, and annualized performance for your investment portfolio.
Calculator
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Analysis
Interpretation of the current calculator output

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How to Use

Step-by-step instructions
  1. 1Enter the purchase price per share
  2. 2Input the current (or sale) price per share
  3. 3Specify the number of shares owned
  4. 4Add the holding period in years
  5. 5Review total return, profit/loss, and annualized performance

Stock Return Calculations

Stock returns measure the percentage gain or loss from an investment. Annualized returns account for the time period to provide a standardized comparison metric.
Total Return = (Current Value - Initial Investment) ÷ Initial Investment × 100% Annualized Return = [(Current Value ÷ Initial Investment)^(1/Years) - 1] × 100%

Variables:

Current ValueCurrent price × number of shares
Initial InvestmentPurchase price × number of shares
Total ReturnOverall percentage gain or loss
Annualized ReturnAverage yearly return rate

Example

Stock Investment Example

Inputs:

Purchase Price:$100 per share
Current Price:$120 per share
Shares Owned:100 shares
Holding Period:1 year

Steps:

  1. 1.Total Investment = $100 × 100 = $10,000
  2. 2.Current Value = $120 × 100 = $12,000
  3. 3.Total Gain = $12,000 - $10,000 = $2,000
  4. 4.Total Return = ($2,000 ÷ $10,000) × 100 = 20%
  5. 5.Annualized Return = [($12,000 ÷ $10,000)^(1/1) - 1] × 100 = 20%
Result:
$2,000 profit with 20% return over 1 year

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between total return and annualized return?

Total return is the overall percentage gain/loss. Annualized return is the average yearly rate, allowing fair comparison of investments held for different time periods.

Should I include dividends in my return calculation?

Yes! Total return should include dividends reinvested or received. This calculator focuses on capital gains; add dividend income separately for complete return.

How do taxes affect my returns?

Short-term gains (<1 year) are taxed as ordinary income. Long-term gains (>1 year) get preferential tax rates: 0%, 15%, or 20% based on income. Calculate after-tax returns for accurate comparison.