Net Gain
-$9,997.00
ROI
-99.97%
How it works
The Investment Return Calculator computes total returns, annualized returns (CAGR), and inflation-adjusted real returns for any investment given starting value, ending value, time period, and optional dividends/distributions received during the holding period.
Whether evaluating a stock position, real estate investment, mutual fund, or any other asset, the fundamental question is the same: what was the actual annual return, adjusted for how long the money was invested? This calculator provides that number in multiple formats used by investment professionals.
How to use it: enter the starting investment value, ending value, time period in years, and any income received (dividends, rent, interest). The calculator returns: - Total return (%) = (ending value − starting value + income) / starting value × 100 - CAGR = (ending value / starting value) ^ (1/years) − 1 - Inflation-adjusted real return (using current CPI) - Comparison to S&P 500 benchmark over the same period
CAGR vs. simple return: a $10,000 investment worth $20,000 after 10 years shows a 100% total return, but the CAGR is only 7.18%/year — which is the meaningful figure for comparing it against other investment options on an annual basis.
Annualized comparison: the S&P 500 has returned approximately 10.5% annually (7% inflation-adjusted) over the long run. Enter your actual investment results to see how you compare.
Privacy: return calculations run in the browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
- It depends on the asset class and risk level. The US stock market (S&P 500) has historically returned ~10.5% annually (7% inflation-adjusted). A diversified stock portfolio returning 7–10% annually is considered solid. Bonds: 3–5%. Real estate: 7–12% total return (rent + appreciation). Anything consistently above 15% annually should be scrutinized carefully — it may involve higher risk or survivorship bias.
- Total return is the percentage gain over the entire holding period: ((end − start) / start × 100). CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) normalizes total return to an annual rate: (end/start)^(1/years) − 1. CAGR is more useful for comparisons because it accounts for time — a 100% total return over 10 years (7.18% CAGR) is very different from a 100% return over 2 years (41.4% CAGR).
- For complete total return, dividends must be included alongside capital appreciation. A stock that returned 5% in price appreciation but paid a 3% dividend yield has an 8% total return — not 5%. Enter total dividends received during the holding period in the Income Received field for an accurate return calculation.
- Enter the gross return and enable the fee adjustment: subtract the annual fee (expense ratio, advisory fee) from the return each year. Enable inflation adjustment using the current CPI rate. A 9% gross return with 0.5% fees and 3% inflation produces a 5.5% real after-fee return — the number that reflects true wealth building power.