Stock Calculator: Estimate Profit or Loss
This calculator helps you estimate your profit or loss from buying and selling stocks, plus the return on your investment. Enter your details below to see your estimated performance.
How To Use Use This Calculator
Here’s a quick guide to the information you’ll need to enter to estimate your return.
• Number of shares: Enter the total number of shares you purchased in this single transaction.
• Purchase price: This is the price you paid for one share of the stock. For example, if you bought one share of a stock at $150, you would enter 150.
• Sell price: This is the price you received for one share when you sold. For example, if you sold that same share later for $165, you would enter 165.
• Buy commission (Optional): Many brokerages now offer $0 commission trades. If yours charges a fee to purchase stock, enter that amount here.
• Sell commission (Optional): Like the buy commission, this is often $0. If your brokerage charges a fee to sell stock, enter that amount here.
After you enter your information, the calculator will show you two key results:
• Profit/Loss: This is the potential total dollar amount you gained or lost on the investment.
• Return on Investment: This shows your potential profit or loss as a percentage of your original investment.
How This Calculator Works
This tool calculates returns from buying and selling stock by determining both your profit or loss and your return on investment (ROI) using the following formulas:
Profit/Loss Formula
Profit/Loss = (Total Sell Amount – Sell Commissions) – (Total Buy Amount + Buy Commissions)
Where:
• Total Buy Amount = Purchase Price per Share * Number of Shares
• Total Sell Amount = Sell Price per Share * Number of Shares
ROI Formula
ROI = (Sell Price * N – Csell) – (Purchase Price * N + Cbuy)Purchase Price * N + Cbuy * 100%
Where:
• N = Number of shares
• Purchase price = Price per share when bought
• Sell price = Price per share when sold
• Cbuy = Buy commission in dollars
• Csell = Sell commission in dollars
Important Exclusions
This calculation provides a simple estimate of your return, but it does not factor in these external considerations:
• Dividends: The calculation only accounts for price appreciation (capital gain). Any dividend cash you received while holding the stock is not included in the final profit/loss total.
• Taxes: The result is a pre-tax figure and does not account for capital gains taxes or dividend taxes, which will impact your net return.
• Inflation: The calculator provides results in nominal (non-inflation adjusted) dollars. It does not adjust for the real loss of purchasing power over the investment period.
FAQ
What is the difference between total return and capital gain?
Capital Gain is the profit from the rise in the stock’s price. Total Return is the capital gain plus any dividends received. This calculator provides a result closer to your capital gain, as it excludes dividends.
Why are commissions and fees important?
Trading fees, even small ones, reduce your profits. Factoring them in gives you a more accurate understanding of your investment’s true performance.
What about taxes?
This calculator does not account for capital gains taxes or dividend taxes, which can significantly impact your net return. Tax laws vary, so it’s a good idea to consult with a tax professional.
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below:
1) Robo Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.
For a full listing of the fees associated with Sofi Invest please view our fee schedule.
Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.