pie_chartPortfolio Returns Calculator
Track your portfolio P&L — absolute returns, CAGR, best/worst performers across all holdings
Holdings
date_range
For annualised CAGR calculation
Return Formulas
Absolute Return = (Current − Invested) / Invested × 100
CAGR = (Current / Invested)1/Years − 1
Portfolio Weight = Holding Invested / Total Invested
What is a Portfolio Returns Calculator?
Portfolio return is the overall gain or loss on your collection of investments — stocks, mutual funds, ETFs — weighted by how much you've invested in each. It accounts for different buy prices, quantities, and current values to give you a consolidated picture of your investment performance.
Key metrics include: Absolute Return (total profit %), CAGR (annualised return), and individual holding P&L. CAGR normalises returns across different time periods — a 50% gain over 2 years is 22.5% CAGR, while the same 50% over 5 years is only 8.4% CAGR.
lightbulb Example Calculation
Scenario: Mr. Suresh Krishnan, 45-year-old finance professional from Chennai — holds 3 stocks bought in Jan 2023, checking performance as of Jan 2025 (2 years): Infosys 100 shares @₹1,380, TCS 50 shares @₹3,200, HDFC Bank 150 shares @₹1,520
1Total invested = (100×1380) + (50×3200) + (150×1520) = ₹1,38,000 + ₹1,60,000 + ₹2,28,000 = ₹5,26,000
2Current value (Jan 2025) at ₹1,820 / ₹3,850 / ₹1,690: = ₹1,82,000 + ₹1,92,500 + ₹2,53,500 = ₹6,28,000
3Absolute return = (6,28,000 − 5,26,000) / 5,26,000 × 100 = 19.4% | CAGR = (6.28/5.26)^(1/2) − 1 = 9.4% p.a.
✓ Result: Suresh's portfolio gained ₹1,02,000 (19.4% absolute) over 2 years — annualised CAGR of 9.4%.
help_outlineHow to Use the Portfolio Returns Calculator
- Enter each stock or mutual fund name along with the amount invested (₹) and current market value (₹) for that holding.
- Click "Add Holding" to include additional stocks or funds — add as many holdings as your portfolio contains.
- Enter the holding period in years (e.g., 2.5 for two and a half years) to calculate annualised CAGR alongside absolute return.
- Click "Calculate Returns" — see total portfolio P&L, CAGR, best/worst performers, and a holding-wise breakdown table.
- Review the bar chart comparing invested vs current value across holdings to visualise your portfolio composition and performance.
Benefits
- Consolidated view of all stocks and mutual funds in one snapshot — no spreadsheet needed
- Instantly identifies best and worst performing holdings in your portfolio
- CAGR normalises returns across different holding periods for fair comparison
- Holdings weight shows concentration risk — flags over-exposure to any single stock
- All calculations run locally in your browser — no data shared with any server
Key Terms
- Absolute Return
- (Current − Invested) / Invested × 100; total gain without accounting for time
- CAGR
- Compound Annual Growth Rate: (Current/Invested)^(1/Years) − 1; annualised return for fair comparison across periods
- P&L
- Profit and Loss — actual rupee gain or loss: Current Value − Amount Invested
- Portfolio Weight
- (Holding Invested / Total Invested) × 100; shows concentration in each holding
- Unrealized Gain/Loss
- Paper profit/loss on holdings you still own; becomes taxable only upon sale
quizFrequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between absolute return and CAGR?
Absolute return measures total gain ignoring time: 50% is 50% whether earned in 1 year or 5 years. CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) annualises it for fair comparison: 50% over 2 years = 22.5% CAGR; 50% over 5 years = only 8.4% CAGR. For investments held under 1 year, use absolute return; for longer periods, CAGR is the standard benchmark metric used by mutual funds and PMS managers.
How do I account for partial sales in this calculator?
Enter only the remaining holding — the current invested amount and its current market value. Track realised profits from the sold portion separately. This calculator computes unrealized P&L on what you currently hold. For SIP investments where you've added money periodically, enter total cumulative invested amount vs total current value — the XIRR calculator gives a more accurate return for irregular cash flows.
Is CAGR shown for short-term investments under 1 year?
Yes, but interpret it carefully. Annualising a 3-month return of 5% gives ~21.5% CAGR — that is a projection, not an earned annualised return. For holdings under 1 year, focus on the absolute return figure. CAGR becomes a meaningful performance metric for investments held 1 year or longer. Mutual funds are required by SEBI to show returns as CAGR for periods above 1 year.
How does this help with LTCG and STCG tax planning?
Holdings in listed equity held over 12 months qualify as LTCG (Long-Term Capital Gains) — gains above ₹1.25 Lakh per year taxed at 12.5% (Budget 2024). Holdings under 12 months attract STCG at 20%. This calculator shows holding-wise P&L — use it alongside the LTCG/STCG Calculator to estimate tax liability before you decide to book profits. Consider harvesting gains up to ₹1.25 Lakh LTCG annually to stay within the exemption limit.
What is "portfolio weight" and why does concentration matter?
Portfolio weight = (Holding's invested amount / Total portfolio invested) × 100. A 60% weight in a single stock means one company dominates your returns and risk. Financial planners typically recommend no single equity position exceeding 10–15% of portfolio for retail investors. High concentration in one stock or sector amplifies both gains and losses — the table helps you spot and rebalance such concentrations.