Stock Profit Calculator

How to use the calculator

1. Enter the number of shares, the buy price and the sell price. Type a ticker to use today’s closing price as the sell price.
2. Add any commissions you paid on the purchase and the sale.
3. Open Dates and taxes to see the holding period, the annual return and an estimate of the tax on the gain.

How profit and return are calculated

cost        = shares × buy price + buy commission
proceeds    = shares × sell price − sell commission
profit      = proceeds − cost
return      = profit / cost
break-even  = (cost + sell commission) / shares

Example: 100 shares bought at $50, sold at $65

With a $5 commission on each trade, the cost is $5,005 and the proceeds $6,495, a profit of $1,490 or a 29.77% return. The break-even sell price is $50.10. Held for two years, that is an annual return of about 13.9%; as a long-term gain taxed at 15%, about $1,266.50 is left after tax.

Short-term vs long-term gains

In the US, gains on investments held for one year or less are short-term and taxed as ordinary income. Gains on investments held for more than one year are long-term and taxed at lower rates (0%, 15% or 20% for most people, depending on income). The calculator uses the dates you enter to pick the rate; change the two rates to match your situation. Losses can offset gains, and up to $3,000 a year of net losses can offset other income.

Annual return

A 30% gain is very different over six months and over five years. The annual return, (1 + return)^(365 / days) − 1, puts trades of different lengths on the same footing. For a stock’s return including dividends over a period, use the stock return calculator.

Common mistakes

• Forgetting commissions and fees, which matter on small trades.
• Using the wrong cost basis after buying at several prices. Use your average cost; the average down calculator works it out.
• Ignoring dividends received while holding the stock; they add to your total return.

Frequently asked questions

Related calculators

• Average Down CalculatorYour new average cost after buying more shares, or the shares needed to reach a target average.
• Stock Return Calculator With DividendsTotal return, price return and the part added by dividends for any stock or ETF between two months.
• Investment Return Calculator (CAGR & IRR)Your annual return from start and end values, or from dated deposits and withdrawals (XIRR).
• What If I Had Invested CalculatorWhat an investment in any US stock or ETF in any past month would be worth today, vs the S&P 500.

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