Measure the total return over the entire period you held an asset.
Please do not make financial decisions based on these results.
What is the Holding Period Return Calculator?
Measure the total return over the entire period you held an asset. To use the Holding Period Return Calculator, enter beginning value, ending value, income received; it returns holding period return, dollar gain, and shows them instantly as you type.
Comparing returns
To judge past performance use the average return calculator and the ROI calculator. For projects with several cash flows, the IRR calculator gives a single comparable rate, and the payback period calculator shows how long it takes to recover the cost.
How to use the Holding Period Return Calculator
- Fill in the fields. You will need Beginning value ($), Ending value ($), Income received ($). Use a rate of return you consider realistic; small changes compound into large differences. Fields marked optional can stay at zero.
- Read the result. The highlighted box gives the Holding period return, and the cards below show Dollar gain. Tables and charts break it down further.
- Test other scenarios. Results update as you type. Change one value at a time to see what drives the answer, and press Reset to go back to the defaults.
Formula and how it works
Example with real numbers
Here is the Holding Period Return Calculator using the default values shown in the calculator above:
Inputs
| Beginning value ($) | 15,000 |
|---|---|
| Ending value ($) | 17,200 |
| Income received ($) | 600 |
Results
| Holding period return | 18.67% |
|---|---|
| Dollar gain | $2,800.00 |
With these inputs the calculator returns Holding period return: 18.67%. Change any value in the calculator to see how the result moves.
What if you change one input?
Sensitivity check: raising Beginning value ($) from 15,000 to 18,000 (about 20% higher) and leaving everything else as in the example above changes the results like this:
| Result | Example | After the change | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holding period return | 18.67% | -1.11% | -106% |
| Dollar gain | $2,800.00 | -$200.00 | -107.1% |
The input that moves the result most is the one to check twice. Change it in the calculator above to test your own case.
What the results tell you
The results panel of the Holding Period Return Calculator reports Holding period return and dollar gain. Compare these figures while changing one input at a time, and use the related calculators below to look at the same situation from another angle.
Method and limits. This calculator applies the formula in the section above to your inputs, in your browser; nothing you enter is stored on our servers. Investment returns are not guaranteed. The result shows what the numbers you enter would produce, not what the market will do. It is for information, not financial, tax or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between HPR and annual return?
HPR covers the whole holding period, whatever its length; annual return rescales it to one year.
Are investment returns guaranteed?
No. Real returns vary. Use these tools to compare scenarios, not to predict results.
What rate of return should I assume?
There is no guaranteed rate. Test a range of conservative and optimistic rates, and remember that fees and inflation reduce your real return.
Are the results guaranteed?
No. Results depend entirely on the numbers you enter and the formulas shown on this page. Please do not make financial decisions based on them alone; confirm important figures with a licensed professional.
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