Holding Period Return Calculator
Results are estimates based on the values you enter. Recheck your inputs and assumptions before using the output for decisions.
Calculate holding period return from beginning value, ending value, and income received during the holding period.
Holding Period Return Calculator
Free online holding period return calculator to measure the total return earned over a full holding period from price change and income received. This calculator is useful for investors, finance students, portfolio analysts, advisers, and anyone reviewing how an investment performed between purchase and sale. Holding period return is a practical measure because it looks at the total result from the investment during the period you actually owned it. That means it includes both capital gain or loss and any cash income received during the same time.
This calculator uses three inputs. Beginning value means the value of the investment at the start of the holding period. Ending value means the value at the end of the holding period or sale date. Income received means any cash income earned during the period, such as dividends, coupons, or distributions. Once those values are entered, the calculator shows holding period return, capital gain, income return, and total dollar return. These outputs make it easier to separate the result into price performance and income contribution while also showing the full return over the period.
The formula of holding period return
Capital gain = Ending value – Beginning value
Total dollar return = Capital gain + Income received
Holding period return = Total dollar return / Beginning value
Income return = Income received / Beginning value
Here beginning value means the starting investment amount, ending value means the market value or sale value at the end of the holding period, income received means the cash paid to the investor during the period, capital gain means the change in value from beginning to ending value, total dollar return means the sum of price change and income, and holding period return means the total return as a percentage of the original investment.
Solved Example
Example 1: Find the holding period return if beginning value is $10,000, ending value is $11,200, and income received is $400.
Solve: Capital gain = 11200 – 10000 = $1,200
Total dollar return = 1200 + 400 = $1,600
Holding period return = 1600 / 10000 = 0.16 = 16.00%
Income return = 400 / 10000 = 4.00%
Example 2: Find the result if beginning value is $25,000, ending value is $27,000, and income received is $1,500.
Solve: Capital gain = 27000 – 25000 = $2,000
Total dollar return = 2000 + 1500 = $3,500
Holding period return = 3500 / 25000 = 14.00%
Income return = 1500 / 25000 = 6.00%
Example 3: Find the result if beginning value is $50,000, ending value is $47,000, and income received is $2,500.
Solve: Capital gain = 47000 – 50000 = -$3,000
Total dollar return = -3000 + 2500 = -$500
Holding period return = -500 / 50000 = -1.00%
Income return = 2500 / 50000 = 5.00%
Table of holding period return calculator
| Beginning Value | Ending Value | Income | Holding Period Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $11,200 | $400 | 16.00% |
| $25,000 | $27,000 | $1,500 | 14.00% |
| $50,000 | $47,000 | $2,500 | -1.00% |
| $80,000 | $88,000 | $1,600 | 12.00% |
How to use this holding period return calculator
Enter the beginning value in the proper input field. After that, enter the ending value and then enter any income received during the holding period. Then click the calculate button. The calculator will show holding period return, capital gain, income return, and total dollar return in the result box.
This calculator is useful when reviewing a stock, bond, fund, or other asset over the exact period it was held. Unlike annualized return, holding period return focuses on the full result over that actual ownership period, whether it lasted months or years. It is especially helpful when you want to see how much of the total result came from price movement and how much came from cash income. That makes it useful for portfolio review, performance reporting, and investment education.
When using the result, remember that holding period return does not annualize the performance. Two investments can have the same holding period return but over different lengths of time, which would imply different annualized returns. It also does not include taxes, fees, or additional contributions unless you adjust the inputs for them. Even so, holding period return remains one of the clearest direct measures of realized or observed performance across a chosen period. This calculator gives a fast numerical view that supports performance analysis, classroom learning, and investment review.