On platforms like Dividend Data, you can track Cost Per Share for your investments. This helps you make informed investment decisions.
Definition:
Cost Per Share represents the average price at which shares of a particular stock are purchased, including any brokerage fees or transaction costs. It's a key metric for determining the profitability and performance of individual stock investments within a portfolio.
Importance of Tracking Cost Per Share
Investment Performance Evaluation: Helps investors assess how their stock purchases have performed relative to current market prices.
Informed Decision Making: Provides a basis for making future investment decisions, such as whether to buy more, hold, or sell.
Tax Implications: In many jurisdictions, Cost Per Share is crucial for calculating capital gains or losses for tax purposes.
Calculating Cost Per Share
The formula for calculating Cost Per Share is:
Cost Per Share = Total Amount Invested / Total Shares Purchased
Factors Influencing Cost Per Share
Purchase Price Variability: Buying shares at different prices over time will affect the average cost per share.
Transaction Costs: Including brokerage fees and other costs in the calculation provides a more accurate measure of investment costs.
Dividend Reinvestment: If dividends are reinvested to purchase additional shares, this can also impact the average cost per share.
Cost Per Share and Investment Strategy
Understanding the cost per share can guide strategies such as dollar-cost averaging, where investors buy a fixed dollar amount of a particular stock on a regular schedule.
Analyzing Cost Per Share in Context
Comparison with Current Market Price: Comparing the cost per share to the current market price can help determine unrealized gains or losses.
Portfolio Diversification: Assessing cost per share across different investments aids in maintaining a balanced and diversified portfolio.
Historical Cost Analysis: Tracking the cost per share over time can offer insights into the timing and effectiveness of investment decisions.