Capital Gains Yield Calculator
Quickly calculate how much your stock investments have grown in value over time.How Capital Gains Yield Calculator Works
Capital gains yield measures the percentage increase (or decrease) in your investment's price over time. It's one of the most straightforward ways to see if your money is actually working for you by tracking price appreciation alone, separate from any dividends you might receive.
This calculator focuses purely on price movement – the difference between what you paid for a stock and what it's worth now. It's particularly useful for growth stocks that don't pay dividends, or when you want to isolate the capital appreciation part of your total return.
Unlike total return calculations that include dividends, capital gains yield gives you a clear picture of how the market values your investment. A positive result means your stock has appreciated; a negative result indicates a loss in market value.
Capital Gains Yield Calculator Formula Breakdown
Formula
Capital Gains Yield = ((Current Price - Original Price) ÷ Original Price) × 100
Variables Explained
- Original PriceThe price you paid when you first bought the stock or investment. This should be the actual purchase price per share, not including any fees or commissions. You'll find this information on your brokerage statements or trade confirmations.
- Current PriceThe current market price per share of your investment. You can find real-time prices on financial websites, your brokerage app, or financial news platforms. For the most accurate calculation, use the most recent closing price.
Example Calculation
Given:
- Original Price: $500.00
- Current Price: $700.00
Calculation:
Price difference: $700.00 - $500.00 = $200.00
Capital gains yield: ($200.00 ÷ $500.00) × 100 = 40.00%
Capital gains amount: $700.00 - $500.00 = $200.00
Result:
40.00%Explanation
In this example, you bought a stock at $500 per share and it's now worth $700 per share. Your investment has gained 40% in value, representing $200 in capital gains per share. This tells you the stock price has appreciated significantly since your purchase.
Tips for Using Capital Gains Yield Calculator
- 💡Use the most recent closing price for accuracy, as stock prices fluctuate throughout the trading day and after-hours trading can affect values.
- 💡Remember that capital gains yield only shows price appreciation – it doesn't account for dividends, fees, or taxes, which all affect your actual returns.
- 💡Consider the holding period when evaluating your results, as short-term gains (under one year) are taxed differently than long-term gains in most countries.
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