Stock performance is a measure of the returns on shares over a period of time. There are a number of measures of stock performance and each includes its own characteristics and benefits during an analysis of returns. The period over which stock returns are measured is chosen based on personal preferences, but the portfolio managers usually measure share performance on daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis.

Tip

Stock performance refers to the return on shares — any gains, losses and dividends — that investors receive over a time period.

The Concept of Total Return

Stock performance includes two separate components: capital gains or losses and dividends. The capital gains or losses are the result of stock price movements, a gain results from an increase in price while a loss results from a decrease in price. The dividends are often paid by companies out of the company profits to the shareholders. When these two components are added together, they form the total returns for the stock.

Calculation of Stock Returns

Stock performance can be calculated using the simple formula for calculation of returns. Suppose an investor purchased a stock last year for $100, the price of the shares is $120 today and the dividends paid at the end of the year are $5. The returns on the stock based on the total return estimation are 25%: [(120+5-100)/100]. Similarly, if the stock price had decreased to $70, the stock performance returns would be negative 25%: [(70+5-100)/100].

Relative Stock Performance

It is important to measure stock performance relative to a market benchmark or an industry benchmark. A benchmark is any portfolio that is representative of the stock held by an investor. By comparing the returns of the portfolio against its benchmark, the performance of the stock can be categorized relative to the benchmark.

If our stock appreciated by 25%, but the benchmark market appreciated by 50%, our stock underperformed the market by 25%. While if our stock decreased by 25%, while the market benchmark decreased by 50%, it means our stock outperformed the market by 25%.

Absolute Stock Performance

Absolute stock performance is a measure of share performance without comparison to any other market or portfolio. Investors that prefer absolute stock performance measures dislike risk more than an average investor. This measure does not care if a stock outperformed or underperformed a market; all that matters is that our stock performed well or not.

Risk and Stock Performance

It is essential to understand the risks involved in investing in the stock market today. High stock performance is most likely associated with higher risk-taking behavior. Finance theory links risks to returns; any stock that has high expected returns is most likely to have a higher level of risk involved. This implies that an average investor should always be cautious while investing and should properly investigate the risk for a stock before investing.