Percentage gain lets you compare results from different stock investments.
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It is a good feeling -- and good for your portfolio value -- when the share price of a stock you own goes up in value. As an investor, it is helpful to keep up with the percentage gains on different stocks. Calculating the percentage increase of a stock is a quick and simple process.
Write down the price at which you bought the stock, then write down its current price. As an example, suppose you bought a stock at $46.50 per share and the stock is currently worth $77.30.
Step 2Subtract the price you bought the stock at from its current price. For the example, $77.30 minus $46.50 gives you a gain of $30.80.
Step 3Divide the amount of the stock price gain by the purchase price. Multiply the result by 100 to get a percentage. In the example, $30.80 divided by $46.50 equals 0.662. Multiply times 100 for a price gain of 66.2 percent.
Items you will need
- Calculator
Tip
- If your calculated gain is greater than the initial share price cost, your percentage gain will be greater than 100 percent, meaning the stock has more than doubled in value since you bought it.
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Photo Credits
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About the Author
Tim Plaehn has been writing financial, investment and trading articles and blogs since 2007. His work has appeared online at Seeking Alpha, Marketwatch.com and various other websites. Plaehn has a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the U.S. Air Force Academy.