Calculate Stock Profit & Loss

Stock profit and loss measures the financial result of buying and selling shares. Gross P&L is simply the price difference multiplied by the number of shares. Net P&L accounts for trading costs like broker commissions. Understanding the difference between gross and net returns is essential for accurately evaluating your trading performance and making better investment decisions.

Trading commissions directly reduce your profit on every trade. While many brokers now offer zero-commission trades on stocks, options and other instruments still carry fees. Even small per-trade commissions compound significantly for active traders making frequent trades. Always factor in round-trip costs (buy plus sell commissions) when evaluating whether a trade meets your minimum return threshold.

Short selling means borrowing shares and selling them at the current price, hoping to buy them back later at a lower price. Your profit comes from the price decline. Short selling carries additional risks including unlimited loss potential and margin requirements. This calculator supports short mode so you can analyze bearish positions with the same precision as long trades.

Track every trade's P&L to identify patterns in your trading performance. Calculate your average win versus average loss to understand your risk-reward ratio. Use the breakeven price to set stop-loss orders that protect your capital. Review your ROI across different position sizes and holding periods to optimize your strategy over time.