How do I calculate the P/L (profit or loss) per trade?

Calculating a position’s profit  or loss (P/L) in USD requires a different formula depending on whether the asset is USD-based or non-USD-based

You can find the base currency of any asset on the etoro platform by checking below the ticker symbol:

Note: we modified how we calculate the value of non-USD-based real assets on 3 March 2024. Positions opened before and after this date use different formulae to determine the P/L.

Below, you will find the formulae for each of the following kinds of positions you may hold at etoro:

• USD-based assets (real and CFD)
• Non-USD-based real assets opened before 3 March 2024 and CFDs
• Non-USD-based real assets opened on or after 3 March 2024

USD-based assets (real and CFD)

For open trades:

• Buy trade: (current rate - open rate) × units = P/L
• Short trade: (open rate - current rate) × units = P/L

For closed trades:

• Buy trade: (close rate - open rate) × units = P/L
• Short trade: (open rate - close rate) × units = P/L

Non-USD-based real assets opened before 3 March 2024, and CFDs

For open trades:

• Buy trade: (current rate - open rate) × units × USD exchange rate = P/L
• Short trade: (open rate - current rate) × units × USD exchange rate = P/L

For closed trades:

• Buy trade: (close rate - open rate) × units × USD exchange rate = P/L
• Short trade: (open rate - close rate) × units × USD exchange rate = P/L

Non-USD-based real assets opened on or after 3 March 2024

For open trades:

• [(current USD exchange rate × current rate) - (USD exchange rate at the time of opening × open rate)) × units = P/L

For closed trades:

• [(USD exchange rate at the time of closure × close rate) - (USD exchange rate at the time of opening × open rate)] × units = P/L

Stocks on the London Stock Exchange are traded in pence rather than pounds. To calculate the profit or loss for a London stock trade, use the applicable formula above and divide the result by 100.

See our P/L calculation blog post for an in-depth explanation and examples.