Total Return
What is Total Return? — Definition
Total return measures the full economic benefit of an investment: not just how much the stock price changed, but also any dividends, interest, or distributions received along the way. Total Return = (Ending Value - Beginning Value + Income Received) / Beginning Value.
This distinction matters enormously over long time horizons. A study by Hartford Funds found that from 1960 to 2022, dividends contributed approximately 32% of the S&P 500's total return. An investor who tracked only price return (ignoring dividends) severely understated actual performance.
Example
If you buy a stock at $100, it rises to $108 over a year, and pays a $3 dividend, your total return is 11% ($8 price gain + $3 dividend / $100). Price return alone would be 8%. Over 30 years, this 3 percentage point gap in annual returns can double or triple the final portfolio value.
BMInsider's Portfolio Tracker calculates total return for all positions, properly accounting for dividends received, so you always know your true investment performance — not just the price change.
Frequently asked questions about Total Return
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