How to Calculate Rate of Return on Stock

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Stock Return Calculator
Initial Investment $0.00
Final Value (Shares) $0.00
Net Profit / Loss $0.00
Total Return on Investment (ROI) 0.00%
Annualized Return (CAGR) 0.00%
function calculateStockReturn() { // 1. Get Input Values using var var buyPrice = parseFloat(document.getElementById("stock_buy_price").value); var shares = parseFloat(document.getElementById("stock_shares").value); var sellPrice = parseFloat(document.getElementById("stock_sell_price").value); var dividends = parseFloat(document.getElementById("stock_dividends").value); var fees = parseFloat(document.getElementById("stock_fees").value); var years = parseFloat(document.getElementById("stock_years").value); // 2. Defaulting empty values if (isNaN(dividends)) dividends = 0; if (isNaN(fees)) fees = 0; if (isNaN(years)) years = 0; // 3. Validation if (isNaN(buyPrice) || isNaN(shares) || isNaN(sellPrice) || buyPrice <= 0 || shares 0 && totalFinalValue > 0) { var cagrDecimal = Math.pow((totalFinalValue / initialInvestment), (1 / years)) – 1; cagrPercent = cagrDecimal * 100; } else if (years = 0) { netProfitElem.className = "result-value positive-return"; document.getElementById("res_roi_percent").className = "result-value highlight-result positive-return"; document.getElementById("res_cagr").className = "result-value positive-return"; } else { netProfitElem.className = "result-value negative-return"; document.getElementById("res_roi_percent").className = "result-value highlight-result negative-return"; document.getElementById("res_cagr").className = "result-value negative-return"; } // Format Percentages document.getElementById("res_roi_percent").innerText = roiPercent.toFixed(2) + "%"; if (years > 0 && totalFinalValue > 0) { document.getElementById("res_cagr").innerText = cagrPercent.toFixed(2) + "%"; } else { document.getElementById("res_cagr").innerText = "N/A"; } }

How to Calculate Rate of Return on Stock

Understanding how to calculate the rate of return on a stock is fundamental for any investor. It allows you to measure the profitability of your investment relative to its cost. Whether you are a day trader or a long-term holder, knowing your exact Return on Investment (ROI) helps in comparing different assets and making informed financial decisions.

The Stock Return Formula

The most basic way to calculate your stock return is by determining the percentage change between your initial investment and the final value, accounting for any additional income (dividends) and costs (fees).

ROI (%) = [ ( (Current Value – Cost Basis) + Dividends – Fees ) / Cost Basis ] × 100

Where:

  • Current Value: The current selling price multiplied by the number of shares.
  • Cost Basis: The original purchase price multiplied by the number of shares.
  • Dividends: Total cash payouts received from the company during the holding period.
  • Fees: Trading commissions or broker fees paid to buy or sell the stock.

Example Calculation

Let's assume you purchased 10 shares of TechCorp at $150 per share. After two years, you sell them for $200 per share. During this time, you received $50 in total dividends and paid $10 in trading fees.

  1. Initial Investment: 10 shares × $150 = $1,500
  2. Final Sale Value: 10 shares × $200 = $2,000
  3. Gross Profit: $2,000 – $1,500 = $500
  4. Net Profit: $500 (Profit) + $50 (Dividends) – $10 (Fees) = $540
  5. ROI: ($540 / $1,500) × 100 = 36.00%

Simple Return vs. Annualized Return (CAGR)

The calculation above gives you the Total Return. However, earning 36% over 10 years is very different from earning 36% in 1 year. To understand the efficiency of your investment over time, investors use the Annualized Return or Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR).

The Annualized Return adjusts the total return to show what you theoretically earned each year, compounded. In our calculator, simply input the "Holding Period" in years to see this metric.

Why Include Dividends and Fees?

Many novice investors look only at the stock price change (Price Return). However, this paints an incomplete picture. Dividends can significantly boost your total return, especially in defensive sectors like utilities or consumer staples. Conversely, trading fees and commissions eat into your profits. To calculate the rate of return on stock accurately, you must use the "Total Return" approach which includes these factors.

Interpreting Your Results

A positive percentage indicates a profit, while a negative percentage indicates a loss. When evaluating your performance, compare your annualized return against a benchmark, such as the S&P 500 (historically returning about 10% annually), to see if your stock selection strategy is outperforming the broader market.

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