Calculating the profit or loss from stock investments is a fundamental aspect of investing. It helps you understand the performance of your trades and make informed decisions. This calculator breaks down the process, considering not just the price difference but also associated costs like commissions and fees.
The Formula Explained
The core formula for calculating stock profit is:
Total Profit/Loss = (Selling Price per Share – Purchase Price per Share) * Number of Shares – Total Costs
Let's break down the components used in our calculator:
Purchase Price per Share: The amount you paid for each share of stock.
Number of Shares: The total quantity of shares you bought and sold.
Selling Price per Share: The amount you received for each share when you sold it.
Commission Fee (%): The percentage charged by your broker for executing buy and sell orders. This is applied to both the purchase and selling amounts.
Other Costs ($): Any additional fixed fees, taxes, or charges associated with the trade (e.g., trading platform fees, regulatory fees).
Detailed Calculation Steps:
Our calculator performs the following steps:
Calculate Total Purchase Cost:
(Purchase Price per Share * Number of Shares) + (Purchase Price per Share * Number of Shares * Commission Fee / 100)
Calculate Total Selling Revenue:
(Selling Price per Share * Number of Shares) – (Selling Price per Share * Number of Shares * Commission Fee / 100)
Calculate Net Profit/Loss:
Total Selling Revenue – Total Purchase Cost – Other Costs
Example Calculation:
Let's say you:
Bought 100 shares at $50.25 per share.
Your broker charges a 0.5% commission fee.
You incurred $10.00 in other costs (e.g., platform fees).