Results are illustrative only and are not financial advice. Capital gains tax here is simplified; actual rates depend on income and holding period rules. Consult a qualified tax advisor. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Results
Trade details
Avg buy price | $150 |
Avg sell price | $185 |
Break-even price | $150 |
Total cost | $1,500 |
Proceeds | $1,850 |
Gross P/L | +$350 |
Hold period | 1141 days |
CAGR | +6.94% |
P/L by exit price
Scenario table
| Exit price | Net P/L | Return |
|---|---|---|
| $75 | -$750 | -50.00% |
| $97.50 | -$525 | -35.00% |
| $112.50 | -$375 | -25.00% |
| $127.50 | -$225 | -15.00% |
| $142.50 | -$75 | -5.00% |
| $150break-even | +$0 | +0.00% |
| $165 | +$150 | +10.00% |
| $185current | +$350 | +23.33% |
| $187.50 | +$375 | +25.00% |
| $225 | +$750 | +50.00% |
| $300 | +$1,500 | +100.00% |
Stock Profit Calculator: Trade ROI, Cost Basis & CAGR
Key Points
- Net profit on a stock trade = sale proceeds − cost basis − commissions − taxes + dividends.
- Calculator handles multi-lot purchases, partial sells, percent or flat commissions, and optional CAGR from dates.
- ROI shows return on cost; CAGR annualizes that return for fair comparison across different holding periods.
How to calculate stock profit
True stock profit is what you actually keep from a trade after every cost. It starts from sale proceeds, subtracts your cost basis and commissions on both sides, subtracts tax on the realized gain, and adds dividends collected during the hold. The headline “bought at $50, sold at $75” rarely equals the real figure.
Formula: Net Profit = (Sale Proceeds − Sell Commissions) − (Cost Basis + Buy Commissions) − Tax + Dividends.
- Add one row per purchase lot — shares, price, and optional date.
- Add one row per sale lot — shares, price, and optional date.
- Set commissions as flat dollar amounts or a percent of the trade value, on each side.
- Optionally enter dividends collected and a flat tax rate on the realized gain; add dates to also compute the holding period and CAGR.
Worked example
Buy 100 shares at $50 with a $5 commission ($5,005 total cost). Sell all 100 at $60 with a $5 commission ($5,995 proceeds). No dividends, no tax. Net profit = $5,995 − $5,005 = $990. ROI = $990 / $5,005 ≈ 19.8%. Break-even price = $50.10.
When to use ROI vs CAGR
ROI is the right metric when the holding period is fixed. Comparing two trades held for different lengths requires CAGR — the annualized return — so a 50% gain over 5 years (~8.4% CAGR) can be honestly compared to a 20% gain over 1 year (20% CAGR). Provide buy and sell dates to see CAGR alongside ROI.
Limitations
The simplified flat tax does not capture short-term vs long-term capital gains rules, wash-sale adjustments, or state tax. Currency effects on foreign listings are ignored. The calculator is for trade economics planning — not a substitute for your broker statements or your tax return.
Trade economics, not just price difference
A clean view of every dollar in and out of a position separates winning trades from those that look great on the price chart but actually leak value to commissions, taxes, and partial-sell accounting.
Frequently asked questions
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