What does this stock total-return scenario show?
It separates the share-price change from a simplified all-in result that adds cash distributions and subtracts the purchase and sale fees you enter. The price-only percentage answers how far the quoted share price moved relative to your buy price. The total-return percentage compares modeled ending proceeds with the starting outlay, including the entered distributions and fees.
FINRA describes total return as gain or loss in value plus investment earnings, and notes that commissions, fees, and taxes affect the investor’s result. Its stock example adds a dividend to the per-share gain before expenses. This worksheet follows that broad structure for one entered position, while listing purchase and sale fees separately in its arithmetic. Source: FINRA, Key Concepts: Return and Rate of Return, checked 2026-11-03.
Enter the same share quantity for the purchase and sale, the two per-share prices, the purchase and sale dates, cash distributions received during the period, and fees paid on each side. The starting outlay includes purchase fees. Ending proceeds include the entered distributions and subtract sale fees. Distributions are held as cash in this model, not used to buy additional shares.
The annualized figure converts the all-in ratio into an equivalent compound rate over the entered calendar-day span, using 365.25 days as one year. It is a way to express this single start-to-end scenario on an annual basis; it does not mean the investment earned a steady rate. If ending proceeds are zero, the total return is −100% and annualization is also −100%. If entered fees make ending proceeds negative, the worksheet reports the dollar and percentage result but does not calculate an annualized rate.
This model does not calculate a tax basis or tax liability. It also omits inflation, foreign-exchange changes, corporate actions, fractional-share handling, additional purchases or sales, and the timing of individual distribution payments. A distribution amount must represent cash actually received over the selected period. If you compare with a broker statement, match dates, fees, distributions, and the broker’s reinvestment and reporting conventions.
Investor.gov explains that common stock may provide dividends and that stock prices can move up or down; dividends and prices are not guaranteed. Source: Investor.gov, Stocks FAQs, checked 2026-11-03. This worksheet contains no market feed and makes no claim about any stock’s historical or future performance.
Frequently asked questions
Why is price-only return different from total return?
Price-only return uses only the buy and sell prices. This total-return scenario also adds the cash distributions you enter and subtracts purchase and sale fees from its dollar result.
Does it reinvest dividends?
No. It treats all entered distributions as cash held through the end date. It does not model payment dates, changing prices, or purchases made with distributions.
Is annualized return the same as an average yearly gain?
No. It is a compound rate that links the entered starting outlay and ending proceeds across the date interval. It does not describe the path or yearly results.
Does the result include taxes?
No. Taxes and tax basis rules are outside this worksheet. The result is arithmetic from your inputs, not a tax calculation or financial recommendation.