Stock & ETF Total Return Calculator
Compare stock and ETF total returns with dividend reinvestment (DRIP). Analyze up to 10 stocks or ETFs side-by-side including YTD performance, overall returns, and growth of $10,000 over multiple time periods.
Time Period
What is Total Return?
Total return measures the complete performance of any investment, including both price appreciation and dividend distributions. This gives investors the full picture of their investment performance over time, whether investing in individual stocks or ETFs.
- ✓Capital Gains: Increase in share price over time
- ✓Dividend Income: Cash payments to shareholders
- ✓DRIP Effect: Compounding from reinvesting dividends
How to Use the Calculator
- 1Enter stock or ETF symbols (e.g., AAPL, SPY, QQQ, JNJ) in the search box
- 2Select your desired time period (3M, 6M, 1Y, 2Y, 5Y, MAX)
- 3Compare up to 10 stocks or ETFs side-by-side with real-time data
- 4Analyze performance summary including YTD returns and growth
Popular Investment Comparisons
Market Index ETFs
Compare broad market exposure:
Dividend Aristocrats
Compare reliable dividend growers:
High-Yield ETFs
Compare income-focused strategies:
Calculator Features
- 📊Real-Time Data: Live stock and 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 Total Returns vs Price Returns
Price Return Only
Shows only share price changes. Completely ignores dividend payments, severely understating returns for dividend-paying investments.
Total Return (No DRIP)
Includes dividends as cash. Better representation but misses the compounding benefit of reinvesting dividends back into shares.
Total Return (DRIP)
Most realistic scenario. Assumes dividends buy additional shares, creating compound growth that significantly impacts long-term returns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I compare stocks and ETFs together?
Yes! This calculator works seamlessly with both individual stocks and ETFs. You can compare a dividend stock like JNJ with an ETF like SPY, or mix any combination of stocks and ETFs to understand different investment strategies.
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.
What's the difference between stock and ETF total returns?
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.
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 investment, which may vary by inception date.