Stock Return Calculator
Measure the full return on a stock position, including dividends. Enter your buy and sell prices, share count, and dividends received to see your total gain in dollars and as a percentage.
Your details
- Total return %
- 56.00%
- Capital gain
- $2,500.00
- Dividends
- $300.00
Capital gain vs dividends
- Capital gain
- $2,500.0089%
- Dividends
- $300.0011%
Formula
Capital gain = (sell − buy) × shares. Total return = capital gain + total dividends. Total return % = total return ÷ cost basis, where cost basis = buy × shares.
How it works
Price change alone understates your return when a stock pays dividends. Adding reinvested or received dividends gives the total return — the number that actually reflects how your investment performed.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between price return and total return?⌄
Price return counts only the change in share price. Total return also includes dividends, so it's the more complete measure of how an investment performed.
Should I annualize this?⌄
For comparing investments held for different lengths of time, yes — divide the growth across the years held. This calculator shows the total, cumulative return.
Are dividends taxed?⌄
Usually yes. Qualified dividends are taxed at long-term capital-gains rates and ordinary dividends at your income rate, unless held in a tax-advantaged account.
Sources & methodology
Total return = price gain + dividends, over cost basis. Excludes commissions, taxes, and the timing of dividends. Not investment advice.
- •Investor.gov — total return — SEC
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