ETF Total Return Calculator: Dividends, Fees, and Contributions
ETF total return combines changes in investment value with income such as dividends or interest. Use this calculator to build a transparent hypothetical projection from an initial investment, monthly contributions, annual price-growth assumption, dividend yield, expense ratio, holding period, and dividend-reinvestment choice. Quick answer Total return is broader than price return. It includes the change in investment value plus distributions received, with the result depending on whether distributions are reinvested. For a historical holding-period calculation with no contributions, a simplified formula is: Total return = (ending value + cash distributions - beginning value) / beginning value This calculator is a forward-looking scenario model rather than a reconstruction of an actual account. It uses constant annual assumptions, monthly modeling, and end-of-month contributions. It does not forecast markets or include taxes, spreads, commissions, premium/discount changes, for...