Stock Return Calculator
Calculate returns from buying and selling stocks. Compute profit/loss, percentage return, and annualized CAGR on any stock investment.
About this calculator
This calculator shows what a stock trade really earned. Enter the buy and sell price, the quantity, dividends received, brokerage and the holding period. It returns the investment, the sale proceeds, net profit or loss, the percentage return and the annualised return.
It matters because the headline price gain overstates or understates what you keep. Dividends add to it and charges take from it. The annualised return lets you compare a quick trade with a long hold.
How to use it
- Enter the Buy Price, Sell Price and Quantity.
- Enter any Dividends Received and Brokerage or Charges.
- Enter the Holding Period in days.
- Read the profit, percentage return and annualised return.
Calculation
Profit = (Sell − Buy) × Quantity + Dividends − Charges. Return % = Profit ÷ (Buy × Quantity). Annualised = (1 + Return)365 ÷ days − 1. Taxes are not included.
Worked example
100 shares bought at ₹500, sold at ₹650, ₹1,200 dividend, ₹150 charges, held 400 days
| Investment | ₹50,000 |
| Sale proceeds | ₹65,000 |
| Profit | ₹16,050 |
| Return | 32.10% |
| Annualised | 28.92% |
The ₹15,000 price gain plus ₹1,200 of dividends, less ₹150 charges, gives ₹16,050. Annualising reduces the return because the hold was longer than a year.
Tips and common mistakes
- Include all charges: brokerage, STT, stamp duty and GST.
- Short-term gains on listed shares held under a year are taxed at 20%. Long-term gains above ₹1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%.
- Annualised return is unreliable for holdings of a few days.
- Compare against an index fund over the same period.
- Account for dividends. They can be a meaningful part of the total.
Frequently asked questions
How is stock return calculated?
Net profit divided by the amount invested, as a percentage.
What is annualised return?
It converts the total return to a yearly rate so trades of different lengths can be compared.
Are taxes included?
No. Deduct capital gains tax for a post-tax figure.
Should dividends be included?
Yes. They are part of your total return.
What if I held for under a year?
The annualised figure will be higher than the total and can look unrealistic. Use it with care.
Can I use it for mutual funds?
Yes, with the NAV as price and units as quantity.