--- title: Total Return simply explained description: Calculate Total Return ✓ English ✓ Example ✓ Score ✓ Total Return ✓ Definition ✓ Screener ⇒ Read now! image: https://blog.stocksguide.com/hubfs/Total%20Return%20%5BEN%5D.jpg --- [![StocksGuideFianl](https://blog.stocksguide.com/hubfs/StocksGuideFianl.svg "StocksGuideFianl")](https://stocksguide.com/en) - [Portfolios](https://stocksguide.com/en/portfolios) - [Screener](https://stocksguide.com/en/screener) - [Charts](https://stocksguide.com/en/charts) - [Alerts](https://stocksguide.com/en/stock-metric-alerts) - Tools - Discover stocks - [Stock Screener](https://stocksguide.com/en/screener) - [Indices](https://stocksguide.com/en/indices) - [Sectors](https://stocksguide.com/en/sectors) - [Dividend-Topscorer](https://stocksguide.com/en/dividends-strategy/topscorer) - [Growth-Topscorer](https://stocksguide.com/en/high-growth-investing/topscorer) - [Levermann-Topscorer](https://stocksguide.com/en/levermann-strategy/topscorer) - Analyze stocks - [Charting](https://stocksguide.com/en/charts) - [Dividend Calender](https://stocksguide.com/en/dividends-calendar) - [Earnings Calender](https://stocksguide.com/en/earnings-calendar) - [Dividends-Strategy](https://stocksguide.com/en/dividends-strategy) - [Growth-Strategy](https://stocksguide.com/en/high-growth-investing/strategy) - [Levermann-Strategy](https://stocksguide.com/en/levermann-strategy) - Monitor stocks - [Dashboard](https://stocksguide.com/en) - [HGI Watchlist](https://stocksguide.com/en/high-growth-investing/high-growth-investing-watchlist) - [Aristocrats](https://stocksguide.com/en/dividend-aristocrats) - [Notifications](https://stocksguide.com/en/users/edit#notifications) - [Hig-Tech-Wikifolio](https://stocksguide.com/en/high-growth-investing/high-tech-stock-picking-wikifolio) - [Elite Dividend Stocks](https://stocksguide.com/en/continuity-toplists/listen) - [Blog](https://blog.stocksguide.com) - [Portfolios](https://stocksguide.com/en/portfolios) - [Screener](https://stocksguide.com/en/screener) - [Charts](https://stocksguide.com/en/charts) - [Alerts](https://stocksguide.com/en/stock-metric-alerts) - Tools - Discover stocks - [Stock Screener](https://stocksguide.com/en/screener) - [Indices](https://stocksguide.com/en/indices) - [Sectors](https://stocksguide.com/en/sectors) - [Dividend-Topscorer](https://stocksguide.com/en/dividends-strategy/topscorer) - [Growth-Topscorer](https://stocksguide.com/en/high-growth-investing/topscorer) - [Levermann-Topscorer](https://stocksguide.com/en/levermann-strategy/topscorer) - Analyze stocks - [Charting](https://stocksguide.com/en/charts) - [Dividend Calender](https://stocksguide.com/en/dividends-calendar) - [Earnings Calender](https://stocksguide.com/en/earnings-calendar) - [Dividends-Strategy](https://stocksguide.com/en/dividends-strategy) - [Growth-Strategy](https://stocksguide.com/en/high-growth-investing/strategy) - [Levermann-Strategy](https://stocksguide.com/en/levermann-strategy) - Monitor stocks - [Dashboard](https://stocksguide.com/en) - [HGI Watchlist](https://stocksguide.com/en/high-growth-investing/high-growth-investing-watchlist) - [Aristocrats](https://stocksguide.com/en/dividend-aristocrats) - [Notifications](https://stocksguide.com/en/users/edit#notifications) - [Hig-Tech-Wikifolio](https://stocksguide.com/en/high-growth-investing/high-tech-stock-picking-wikifolio) - [Elite Dividend Stocks](https://stocksguide.com/en/continuity-toplists/listen) - [Blog](https://blog.stocksguide.com) Search Search - [Contact Us](https://stocksguide.com/en/contacts/new) - [Contact Us](https://stocksguide.com/en/contacts/new) Search Search ![Total Return simply explained](https://blog.stocksguide.com/hubfs/Total%20Return%20%5BEN%5D.jpg) Jun 23, 2025 | [Knowledge](https://blog.stocksguide.com/topic/knowledge) # Total Return simply explained Do you focus on dividend stocks? Then you should take a look at the “Total Return” indicator. Total return also takes into account the dividends paid out in the... [Lukas Langer](https://blog.stocksguide.com/author/lukas-langer) Share - [mailto:?&subject=Total%20Return%20simply%20explained&body=Total%20Return%20simply%20explained%0A(https%3A%2F%2Fblog.stocksguide.com%2Fknowledge%2Ftotal-return-simply-explained)](mailto:?&subject=Total%20Return%20simply%20explained&body=Total%20Return%20simply%20explained%0A(https%3A%2F%2Fblog.stocksguide.com%2Fknowledge%2Ftotal-return-simply-explained)) - - - Many StocksGuide users have requested the "Total Return" metric to better compare stock performance. This article covers everything you need to know about Total Return, its importance for investors, and how it is represented in StocksGuide. **Table of Contents** 1. [Definition: What is Total Return?](https://blog.stocksguide.com/knowledge/total-return-simply-explained#Definition:-What-is-Total-Return) 2. [Importance & Calculation of Total Return with a German Stock Example](https://blog.stocksguide.com/knowledge/total-return-simply-explained#Calculation-of-Total-Return-with-a-German-Stock) 3. [Total Return in stocks.guide Charts](https://blog.stocksguide.com/knowledge/total-return-simply-explained#Total-Return-in-stocks.guide-Charts) 4. [Conclusion on the Total Return Strategy](https://blog.stocksguide.com/knowledge/total-return-simply-explained#Conclusion-on-the-Total-Return-Strategy) #### **Definition: What is Total Return?** Total Return measures the entire return of an investment over a specific period, accounting for both dividends received and price gains or losses, providing a more comprehensive view of a stock's actual performance. ![](https://blog.stocksguide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Bildschirmfoto%202025-07-22%20um%2011-41-16%20(2)-png.png?width=1105&height=708&name=Bildschirmfoto%202025-07-22%20um%2011-41-16%20(2)-png.png) Source: [AT&T price & Total Return](https://stocksguide.com/en/charts/AT-T-US00206R1023?metrics%5B%5D=price&metrics%5B%5D=total_return&stocks%5B%5D=AT-T-US00206R1023&data_format=normalized&date_range=fiveYears) **Example:** AT&T stock have risen by 19.86% over the last five years. Including dividends, the performance is 63.94%, showing a significant difference of 44 percentage points. #### **Importance & Calculation of Total Return** Total Return gives a realistic overview of investment returns, considering both price changes and payouts. For stocks, it is calculated assuming all dividends are reinvested without changing the portfolio structure. **Example:**  Verizon Communications over the last five years is actually negative, although its pure total return looks much better. ![](https://blog.stocksguide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Bildschirmfoto%202025-07-22%20um%2011-53-24%20(2)-png.png?width=1089&height=711&name=Bildschirmfoto%202025-07-22%20um%2011-53-24%20(2)-png.png) Source: [Verizon Communications Price vs. Total Return](https://stocksguide.com/en/charts/Verizon-Communications-US92343V1044?metrics%5B%5D=price&metrics%5B%5D=total_return&stocks%5B%5D=Verizon-Communications-US92343V1044&data_format=normalized&date_range=fiveYears) #### **Total Return in StocksGuide Charts** The Total Return metric is available in the StocksGuide charts tool, allowing comparisons of different stocks and indices for a direct performance overview. For instance, comparing Coca Cola and Pepsi over the past 5 years is insightful. It is recommended to use the normalized (percentage) view for a better relative performance overview. ![](https://blog.stocksguide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Bildschirmfoto%202025-07-22%20um%2011-47-56%20(2)-png-1.png?width=1085&height=698&name=Bildschirmfoto%202025-07-22%20um%2011-47-56%20(2)-png-1.png) Source: [Coca-Cola vs. PepsiCo](https://stocksguide.com/en/charts/Coca-Cola-US1912161007?metrics%5B%5D=price&metrics%5B%5D=total_return&stocks%5B%5D=Coca-Cola-US1912161007&stocks%5B%5D=PepsiCo-US7134481081&data_format=normalized&date_range=fiveYears) #### **Conclusion on the Total Return Strategy** Total Return is crucial for investors seeking a complete picture of their investments' performance. The integration of Total Return in stocks.guide charts enables informed decisions based on total returns. As always, feedback is welcome. Contact us anytime through our [contact form](https://stocksguide.com/en/contacts/new). [Knowledge](https://blog.stocksguide.com/tag/Knowledge) ![Lukas Langer](https://blog.stocksguide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Lukas.png?width=70&name=Lukas.png) ### Written By: Lukas Langer Lukas Langer has a master's degree in industrial engineering. During his studies, he already gained practical experience in a DAX company and in management consulting. As an enthusiastic private investor, his goal is to help investors make better investment decisions with StocksGuide. ## You May Also Like ### [![Total Return simply explained](https://blog.stocksguide.com/hubfs/Eigenkapitalrendite%20%F0%9F%87%BA%F0%9F%87%B8.jpg) *Oct 14, 2021 | Knowledge* Return on Equity simply explained](https://blog.stocksguide.com/knowledge/return-on-equity-simply-explained) ### [![Total Return simply explained](https://blog.stocksguide.com/hubfs/AXA%20Aktienanalyse%20DACH-9.jpg) *Jul 22, 2025 | Levermann* S&P Global Stock Analysis: Dividend aristocrat with potential](https://blog.stocksguide.com/sp-global-stock-analysis-dividend-aristocrat-with-potential) ### [![Total Return simply explained](https://blog.stocksguide.com/hubfs/NVIDIA%20Aktienanalyse%20DACH-2-1.jpg) *Jul 30, 2025 | HGI* NVIDIA stock analysis: Mega growth, mega risks – is it still worth getting in?](https://blog.stocksguide.com/nvidia-stock-analysis-mega-growth-mega-risks-is-it-still-worth-getting-in) [View more blog posts](https://www.example.com) [![StocksGuideFianl](https://blog.stocksguide.com/hubfs/StocksGuideFianl.svg "StocksGuideFianl")](https://stocksguide.com/en) Binzallee 30, Zürich 8055 © 2024 aktien.guide AG - StocksGuide - [Features](https://stocksguide.com/en/product) - [Plans](https://stocksguide.com/en/premium) - Company - [About](https://stocksguide.com/en/about-us) - [Contact us](https://stocksguide.com/en/contacts/new) - [Privacy Policy](https://stocksguide.com/en/privacy-policy) - [Imprint](https://stocksguide.com/en/imprint) - Discover Stocks - [Blog](https://blog.stocksguide.com) - [Earnings Calendar](https://stocksguide.com/en/earnings-calendar) - [Dividend Calendar](https://stocksguide.com/en/dividends-calendar) - [Stock Screener](https://stocksguide.com/en/screener) - [Elite Dividend Stocks](https://stocksguide.com/en/continuity-toplists/listen) - [Dividend Aristocrats](https://stocksguide.com/en/dividend-aristocrats) - [Stocks](https://stocksguide.com/en/stocks) - [Glossary](https://lp.stocksguide.com/glossary) **Disclaimer** aktien.guide AG assumes no liability for the information presented, its accuracy and completeness. 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