Stock Return Calculator

What is CAGR?

CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) is the constant annual return that would grow your initial value to the final value over the holding period. It smooths out volatility and lets you compare returns across different time periods (e.g. 3 years vs 10 years). Absolute return is the total percentage gain: (final − initial) / initial × 100. So if you invested ₹100 and it became ₹150, absolute return is 50%. CAGR tells you the equivalent annualized return (about 8.45% in that case for 5 years).

For stocks and lump-sum mutual fund investments, CAGR is useful to compare with other assets (e.g. FD, another stock) or with a benchmark index. If you received dividends, add them to the current value to get a more complete picture of your total return. This calculator supports both absolute return and CAGR, and optionally includes dividends.

Example: ₹100 to ₹150 in 5 years

If you invested ₹100 and the value is now ₹150 after 5 years, your absolute return is 50% ((150 − 100) / 100). Your CAGR is approximately 8.45%—the constant annual rate that would turn ₹100 into ₹150 in 5 years. If you also received ₹10 in dividends over the period, add that to the current value (₹150 + ₹10 = ₹160) to get a dividend-adjusted return: absolute ≈ 60%, CAGR ≈ 9.9%. Use the calculator above with your purchase price, current (or sale) value, holding period, and optional dividends to get your figures.

Benefits of Using This Calculator

A stock return calculator shows absolute return and CAGR (compound annual growth rate) for your holding period, so you can compare different stocks or different time periods on a like-for-like basis. It can include dividends for a more complete picture of total returns. Use it to evaluate past performance of your stocks or lump-sum mutual fund investments and to compare with benchmarks (e.g. Nifty 50) or other assets like FDs.

Knowing your CAGR helps you decide whether to hold or switch—if a stock has underperformed the market over a long period, you might reconsider. The calculator is simple: enter initial value, current value, and holding period; optionally add dividends to see the full return.

How to Use This Calculator

Enter the initial investment (or purchase price), current value (or sale price), and holding period in years. Optionally add total dividends received during the holding period to get a dividend-adjusted return. The calculator shows absolute return (percentage gain) and CAGR.

Useful for stocks and lump-sum mutual fund investments. Use current value if you still hold; use sale price if you have sold. For SIP investments with multiple purchase dates, use XIRR (e.g. in a spreadsheet) or our SIP calculator for future value—this tool is best for a single purchase and single current/sale value.

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