Why Fees and Dividends Matter
Trading fees increase cost and selling fees reduce proceeds. Dividends and other income increase return, so price-only return can differ from actual total return.
Investment Return Calculator
Calculate your investment profit, loss, total return, and break-even price.
Profit
Net Profit or Loss
$1,340.00Total Return
26.77%Investment results
Initial Investment$5,005.00
Gross Current or Sale Value$6,250.00
Net Current or Sale Proceeds$6,245.00
Capital Gain or Loss$1,240.00
Total Income$100.00
Total Costs$10.00
Break-Even Selling Price$98.20
Approx. Annualized Return8.23%
Where the result comes from
Results are estimates based on your inputs. Taxes, inflation, exchange rates, and the exact timing of cash flows are not included.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your purchase price and the number of shares.
- Enter the current or expected selling price.
- Add any purchase fees, selling fees, dividends, other income, and other costs.
- Enter the approximate holding period.
- Select Calculate to view your investment return.
Investment Summary
| Purchase Amount | $5,000.00 |
|---|---|
| Buy Fees | $5.00 |
| Initial Investment | $5,005.00 |
| Gross Current or Sale Value | $6,250.00 |
| Estimated Sell Fees | $5.00 |
| Net Current or Sale Proceeds | $6,245.00 |
| Dividends Received | $100.00 |
| Other Income | $0.00 |
| Other Costs | $0.00 |
| Net Profit or Loss | $1,340.00 |
How Investment Return Is Calculated
Initial investment is purchase price multiplied by shares, plus buy fees. Capital gain or loss is net sale proceeds minus initial investment. Net profit or loss also includes dividends, other income, and other costs. Total return percentage divides that result by initial investment. Break-even price finds the price needed for zero net profit. Annualized return estimates an average compounded yearly rate.
Total Return Versus Annualized Return
Total return measures the full-period result. Annualized return estimates an average yearly compounded rate. Cash-flow-sensitive measurement may require IRR or XIRR.
This annualized return estimate treats all dividends and other income as if they were included in the ending value. It does not model the exact timing of individual cash flows and is not an internal rate of return calculation.
Calculation Assumptions and Limitations
- Based only on user inputs; prices and returns can change.
- Does not predict future returns or include taxes.
- Tax treatment varies by country, account, security, holding period, and investor.
- No exchange-rate conversion; income is entered as total cash.
- Annualized return ignores exact cash-flow timing; inflation is excluded.
- Brokerage statements may differ due to rounding, taxes, conversion, or timing.
- Hypothetical educational estimates only; not personalized financial, tax, accounting, or legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate investment return?+
Subtract initial investment and other costs from net sale proceeds and income, then divide the result by initial investment.
What is the difference between capital gain and total return?+
Capital gain focuses on price and transaction costs. Total return also includes dividends, other income, and other costs.
Are dividends included in total return?+
Yes. Enter total dividends received during the holding period.
How are trading fees included?+
Buy fees increase initial investment; sell fees reduce proceeds.
What is a break-even selling price?+
The per-share price needed for net profit to equal zero after entered income and costs.
What is annualized return?+
An estimate of the average compounded yearly rate.
Why is the annualized return only an estimate?+
It does not model the date of each cash flow.
Does this calculator include taxes?+
No. Tax treatment varies by investor and jurisdiction.
Can I use fractional shares?+
Yes. Decimal share quantities are supported.
Can I use this calculator for ETFs and mutual funds?+
Yes, when the requested prices, units, fees, income, and costs are available.
Can I use this calculator for a losing investment?+
Yes. Negative and zero-value outcomes are supported.