On my USA stocks I bought last month from 3 different companies.
Total return showing $1.50
Total return showing $3.70
Total return showing $4.17
What does this mean???
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When your USA stocks show "Total Return", it simply means how much profit or loss you've made so far on that investment. So in your case: Total return: $1.50 → You’ve made $1.50 profit Total return: $3.70 → You’ve made $3.70 profit Total return: $4.17 → You’ve made $4.17 profit What "Total Return" IRead more
When your USA stocks show “Total Return”, it simply means how much profit or loss you’ve made so far on that investment.
So in your case:
Total return: $1.50 → You’ve made $1.50 profit
Total return: $3.70 → You’ve made $3.70 profit
Total return: $4.17 → You’ve made $4.17 profit
What “Total Return” Includes
Total Return = Capital Gain/Loss + Dividends (if any)
So it includes:
📈 Price increase (stock price went up)
💵 Dividends (if the company paid any)
Example
If you bought a stock:
Bought at $100
Now it’s $103.70
Your Total Return = $3.70
Your Total Profit So Far
Add them together:
$1.50
$3.70
$4.17
Total Profit = $9.37 🎉
So across your 3 US stocks, you’ve made $9.37 profit so far.
Also note:
If market drops, total return can become negative (loss) 📉
If you hold long term, total return usually grows 📈
See lessThat “Total Return” is your PROFIT (or loss). Yes. Simple as that. Let Me Explain With a Simple Story Mama Ngozi buys tomatoes for ₦10,000. After one week, the tomatoes are now worth ₦11,500. What is her gain? ₦11,500 – ₦10,000 = ₦1,500 profit That ₦1,500 is her return Oya… Relax Let Me Explain WhatRead more
That “Total Return” is your PROFIT (or loss).
Yes.
Simple as that.
Let Me Explain With a Simple Story
Mama Ngozi buys tomatoes for ₦10,000.
After one week, the tomatoes are now worth ₦11,500.
What is her gain?
₦11,500 – ₦10,000 = ₦1,500 profit
That ₦1,500 is her return
Oya… Relax Let Me Explain
What “Total Return” Means
When your app shows:
• +$1.50
• +$3.70
• +$4.17
It means:
👉 That is how much profit you have made on each stock
Example Breakdown
Stock A
You invested maybe:
• $50
Now it is worth:
• $51.50
👉 Total return = +$1.50
Stock B
You invested:
• $100
Now:
• $103.70
👉 Return = +$3.70
Stock C
You invested:
• $80
Now:
• $84.17
👉 Return = +$4.17
Important Thing You Must Know
This return comes from:
1. Price Increase
If the stock price goes up:
✓ your return increases
2. Dividends (if any)
If the company pays dividend:
✓ it adds to your return
Let Me Be Honest With You
That number is:
✓ not yet your money in hand
Why?
Because:
👉 You have NOT sold the stock yet
So It Is Called:
✓ Unrealized profit
When Does It Become Real Money?
Only when you:
👉 SELL the stock
Simple Truth
• Before selling → profit on screen
• After selling → profit in your pocket
Final Truth
Those numbers you are seeing mean:
👉 Your investment is currently growing
Let Me Leave You With This
Don’t rush to sell just because you see small profit.
Ask yourself:
• Am I investing long-term?
• Do I believe in this company?
Because real wealth is not built from:
✓ small quick gains
But from:
✓ patience and growth over time
Rose Ejituru
See less