Weighted averages reveal biases
Invested-weight ROI equals the aggregate portfolio ROI, but value-weight ROI favors positions that grew big—so comparing the two shows whether current winners were also heavily funded.
Two lenses
Portfolio Return (Weighted Average ROI)
Inputs
Tip: Fees increase invested; income increases returned.
| Name / Ticker | Invested | Returned / Current | Fees | Income | ROI % | Weight (invested) | Gain/Loss |
|---|
Results
Portfolio summary:
Returns:
- ROI (aggregate): —
- Weighted avg ROI (by invested): —
- Weighted avg ROI (by value): —
- Portfolio CAGR (if dates given): —
Contribution bars
Blue = invested, Green/Red = gain/loss (per holding)
📊 5 Fun Facts about Portfolio Returns
Fees are stealthy gravity
A tiny 0.1% platform fee on a large fixed-income sleeve can offset the gains of a high-flying small-cap position. Costs move the whole weighted average more than most people expect.
Cost drag
Cash can be a villain or hero
Holding cash crushes ROI in a bull market, but it props up the portfolio in a drawdown. The same cash line item flips from “drag” to “buffer” depending on the market regime.
Cash effect
Income reshuffles leaders
A dull utility with steady dividends can outrank a flashy growth stock once you include income. Total return often rearranges which holdings are the true contributors.
Total return
CAGR demands a shared clock
Annualizing a portfolio only makes sense if the holdings span the same dates. Mixing a 3-month trade with a 5-year position gives a misleading CAGR mashup.
Time alignment
How this portfolio return tool works
This calculator turns a messy mix of holdings into a clear portfolio return summary. If you own several stocks, ETFs, crypto assets, or funds, it can be hard to see your overall investment performance at a glance. The tool combines each position into a single view so you can understand your total return, compare results over time, and spot which holdings are pulling the most weight.
Here is the simple idea behind the math. For each holding, your net invested is your cost basis plus fees such as brokerage or platform charges. Your net returned is the current value or sale proceeds plus any income like dividends, interest, or distributions. The return on each holding is calculated as (net returned − net invested) ÷ net invested. From there, the calculator aggregates everything to show a portfolio ROI, two weighted average return views, and an optional CAGR if you supply dates.
How to use the calculator:
- Enter each holding in a new row. Use a clear name like “S&P 500 ETF” or “Savings account.”
- Fill in your invested amount and any fees. This reflects what you actually put in.
- Add the current value or total returned amount. Include any dividends or interest earned if you want a true total return.
- If you want an annualized result, enter a common start and end date for the portfolio.
- Review the summary and the contribution bars to see which positions drive gains or losses.
The output gives you multiple lenses. Portfolio ROI is the most straightforward overall return on the money invested. Weighted average ROI by invested answers, “How did my dollars perform?” while weighted average ROI by value answers, “How are my current dollars positioned?” If you enter dates, the CAGR (compound annual growth rate) turns uneven time periods into a comparable annualized return.
Real-world uses include checking whether a brokerage account beat a benchmark, measuring a dividend portfolio’s total return, or comparing two strategies before rebalancing. It is also handy for tracking retirement accounts, reviewing a taxable portfolio after fees, or estimating performance when you have both income and price gains. Use it as a quick portfolio return calculator to bring clarity to multi-asset investing decisions.
Informational only — not financial advice. Taxes beyond the fees/income you enter, FX effects, and cash drag are not included.