Trading

Profit and loss (P&L)

The realized or unrealized financial result of a position or account over a period.

Plain-English context

Put the definition to work.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE

100 shares bought at $50 and sold at $55 yield $500 gross P&L; $20 total costs reduce net P&L to $480.

IMPORTANT DISTINCTION

Specify realized versus unrealized, gross versus net, currency and cash-flow treatment before comparing results.

Further reading and verification. Examples are hypothetical, not current quotes or recommendations. Product terms, tax treatment and market rules can change. FINRA — order types and execution

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