The total return from a stock is comprised of two parts: dividends (if any) and capital gains.

If you sell a stock and want to calculate your total return, first add your net sales proceeds to all dividends received. Now subtract the amount you originally paid for the stock (including commissions). The difference is your profit (or loss). Divide this number by your original cost. To express as a percentage, multiply by 100.

Suppose you paid $5,000 for your shares (including commissions), received a total of $200 in dividends and sold them for $7,000 (net of commissions).

Your profit is $7,000 plus $200 minus $5,000 or $2,200. Divide $2,200 by $5,000 and you get 0.44. Multiply by 100 to get your total return of 44 percent.

If you still own the stock and want to calculate your total return to date, simply use the current market value instead of sales proceeds.

This calculation ignores the compounding effect of reinvesting dividends. If you want an annualized return, it gets a little more complicated.

For a simple return on investment calculator, go to http://www.pine-grove.com/Web%20Calculators/roi.htm.