Holding Period Return Calculator

How to use the Holding Period Return Calculator

The Holding Period Return Calculator is free and runs entirely in your browser — no sign-up, and nothing you enter leaves your device. It opens pre-filled with a realistic example, so you can see how it works before replacing any figure with your own; the results update as you type. Press Calculate to refresh the result panel, or Reset to return to the example.

The inputs it asks for:

• Beginning Value — a dollar amount.
• Ending Value — a dollar amount.
• Income Received (Dividends/Interest) — a dollar amount.

The formula

Holding period return is the total gain over the time you held an investment, counting both price change and any income:

HPR = (End value − Begin value + Income) ÷ Begin value

Begin / End value

the investment's worth at the start and the end

Income

dividends or interest received while holding

HPR is the return for the whole period, not per year. To compare holdings of different lengths, annualize it or use the ROI calculator's CAGR.

Worked example

Using the example values — Beginning Value $100.00, Ending Value $110.00, Income Received (Dividends/Interest) $5.00 — the Holding Period Return Calculator returns a Holding Period Return of 15.00%. It also reports Capital Gain ($10.00), Income ($5.00), Total Gain ($15.00).

Prefer your own numbers? Change any field above and this recomputes instantly.

Key terms

Holding period return

Total return over the full time an asset was held, price plus income.

Capital gain

The change in an asset's price, excluding income.

Income yield

The dividends or interest component of the return.

Frequently asked questions