Capital Gains Yield Calculator
Calculate the capital gains yield of an investment — the percentage return from a change in price alone, before any dividends. Enter the initial price you paid and the current price, and this calculator shows the price-based return as a percentage.
Formula
Capital Gains Yield = (Current Price − Initial Price) ÷ Initial Price
- Capital gains yield measures the return from price change alone, ignoring dividends or interest.
- Formula: (current price − initial price) ÷ initial price, expressed as a percentage.
- A positive result means the price rose (a gain); a negative result means it fell (a loss).
- To get the total return, add the dividend yield to the capital gains yield.
- This is a point-to-point figure — it doesn't annualise the return over the holding period.
Bought at 90, now worth 117
Inputs
- Initial Price: 90
- Current Price: 117
Capital gains yield = (117 − 90) ÷ 90 = 27 ÷ 90 = 0.30 = 30%. The price has risen 30% since purchase.
Frequently asked questions
What is capital gains yield?
It's the return you earn purely from a change in an asset's price, expressed as a percentage of what you paid. It excludes income like dividends or interest.
How is it different from total return?
Total return combines capital gains yield (price change) with income yield (dividends or interest). Capital gains yield is just the price portion.
Can it be negative?
Yes. If the current price is below your purchase price, the capital gains yield is negative, reflecting a loss on the price of the investment.
Does it account for time?
No. It's a simple start-to-finish percentage. To compare investments held for different periods, annualise it or use a measure like CAGR.