Stock Profit / Loss Calculator
Print| Total Return (ROI %) | 0.00% |
| Break-Even Selling Price | $0.00 |
When buying and selling shares of stock on public exchanges, evaluating your true net profit requires looking beyond simple share price increases. Trading commissions, brokerage transaction fees, and position sizing directly impact your net Return on Investment (ROI).
Our free Stock Calculator computes your total purchase cost, exit proceeds, net dollar profit or loss, and total percentage ROI across any equity trade while factoring in buying and selling fees.
How to Calculate Stock Trade Profit & ROI
Net trade profit subtracts total acquisition costs (including buy commissions) from net liquidation proceeds (after sell commissions).
Step 1: Total Purchase Outlay Formula:
Total Buy Cost = ( Share Count × Purchase Price Per Share ) + Buy Commission Fee
Step 2: Total Liquidation Proceeds Formula:
Total Sell Proceeds = ( Share Count × Selling Price Per Share ) - Sell Commission Fee
Step 3: Net Realized Profit & ROI Formulas:
Net Dollar Profit ($) = Total Sell Proceeds - Total Buy Cost
Percentage Return on Investment (ROI %) = ( Net Dollar Profit / Total Buy Cost ) × 100
Step-by-Step Equity Trade Example
Suppose an investor purchases 200 shares of stock at $50.00 per share with a $10.00 buy commission fee. Six months later, the investor sells all 200 shares at a selling price of $75.00 per share with a $10.00 sell commission fee.
Let’s calculate the trade metrics step-by-step:
Total Buy Outlay = (200 × $50.00) + $10.00 = $10,000 + $10 = $10,010.00
Total Sell Proceeds = (200 × $75.00) - $10.00 = $15,000 - $10 = $14,990.00
Net Realized Dollar Profit = $14,990.00 - $10,010.00 = +$4,980.00
Percentage ROI = ($4,980.00 / $10,010.00) × 100 = 49.75%
| Trade Stage | Share Price / Terms | Brokerage Fees | Total Cash Flow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buy Order (200 Shares) | $50.00 / share | +$10.00 Buy Fee | -$10,010.00 Outflow |
| Sell Order (200 Shares) | $75.00 / share | -$10.00 Sell Fee | +$14,990.00 Inflow |
| Net Realized Profit | +$25.00 / share Gain | $20.00 Total Fees | +$4,980.00 Net (49.75% ROI) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does a Stock Calculator help active traders?
A stock calculator quickly determines exact break-even selling prices after accounting for commissions, helping traders set stop-loss levels and profit target limit orders accurately.
What is the difference between gross profit and net trade profit?
Gross Profit is the simple price difference between buying and selling price (e.g., $15,000 – $10,000 = $5,000). Net Trade Profit deducts brokerage fees and commissions from gross profit (e.g., $5,000 – $20 = $4,980).
How does holding duration affect stock tax rates?
In the U.S., stocks held for 1 year or less are taxed at higher short-term capital gains rates (matching ordinary income tax brackets). Stocks held for more than 1 year qualify for lower long-term capital gains tax rates (0%, 15%, or 20%).