ETF Total Return Calculator
Compare ETF total returns with dividend reinvestment (DRIP). Analyze up to 10 ETFs side-by-side including YTD performance, overall returns, and growth of $10,000 over multiple time periods.
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What is ETF Total Return?
ETF total return measures the complete performance of an Exchange-Traded Fund, including both price appreciation and dividend distributions. Unlike simple price returns, total return accounts for all cash flows returned to investors.
- ✓Price Return: Capital appreciation of the ETF share price
- ✓Dividend Return: Distributions paid to shareholders
- ✓DRIP Effect: Compounding from reinvesting dividends
How to Use the ETF Calculator
- 1Enter ETF symbols (e.g., SPY, QQQ, VTI) in the search box
- 2Select your desired time period (3M, 6M, 1Y, 2Y, 5Y, MAX)
- 3Compare up to 10 ETFs side-by-side with real-time data
- 4Analyze performance summary including YTD returns and growth
Popular ETF Comparisons
Large Cap Index ETFs
Compare broad market exposure:
High-Yield ETFs
Compare income-focused strategies:
Technology ETFs
Compare tech-focused funds:
Calculator Features
- 📊Real-Time Data: Live ETF prices and dividend history from Alpha Vantage
- 💰DRIP Analysis: Shows impact of dividend reinvestment on total returns
- 📈Multi-Timeframe: Compare performance over 3M, 6M, 1Y, 2Y, 5Y, or MAX periods
- 🔍Detailed Analysis: YTD returns, overall performance, and growth calculations
- 📱Mobile Optimized: Full functionality on all devices with responsive design
- 🔗Shareable Results: Generate unique URLs to share your comparisons
Understanding ETF Total Returns vs Price Returns
Price Return Only
Shows only capital appreciation. Ignores dividend payments, understating true performance of dividend-paying ETFs.
Total Return (No DRIP)
Includes dividends as cash payments. Better than price-only but doesn't account for compounding effect of reinvestment.
Total Return (DRIP)
Most accurate measure. Includes dividends reinvested at market price, showing true compounding effect over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between ETF total return and stock total return?
ETFs typically have more predictable dividend schedules and often focus on income generation through covered calls or dividend strategies. Individual stocks may have more volatile dividend payments and different growth characteristics.
How accurate is the dividend reinvestment calculation?
Our DRIP calculations assume dividends are reinvested at the market price on the ex-dividend date. This closely mirrors real-world DRIP programs offered by brokers, though actual results may vary slightly due to timing and fees.
Can I compare ETFs from different categories?
Yes! You can compare any ETFs - growth vs income, domestic vs international, broad market vs sector-specific. This helps you understand risk-return tradeoffs across different investment strategies.
Why might MAX timeframe show different results than other sites?
Different sites may use different start dates, data sources, or calculation methods. Our MAX timeframe goes back to the earliest available data for each ETF, which may vary by fund inception date.