Contribution to return

Contribution to return breaks a portfolio's result into the pieces each holding is responsible for. A position's contribution is its own return weighted by how much of the portfolio it represented and for how long, and the contributions of all holdings add up to the total. It answers a different question from the return percentage in the same row, which describes the holding rather than its effect on you.

Why it matters

Percentages and euros rank positions differently, and the gap between the two lists is where most of the misreading happens. A one percent position that doubled adds one point to the portfolio; a thirty percent position that gained five adds one and a half, without ever appearing impressive. Attention tends to follow the largest percentage, while the portfolio follows the largest contribution. Seeing them separately is what makes the difference between a memorable trade and a consequential one visible.

How BullBenchmark shows it

The positions table carries both quantities side by side: the value of each holding in your own currency, and its return with the verdict against the S&P 500 over the same days. A row that is large and slightly behind the index is therefore readable next to a row that is small and far ahead of it. That table, five holdings across two brokers, is the one on the live demo.

Related terms

Portfolio weight · Benchmark · Market value

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