Rate of Return Formula:
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Rate of Return (RoR) is the percentage gain or loss on an investment over a specified period, expressed as a percentage of the investment's initial cost. It measures the performance of investments and helps compare different investment opportunities.
The calculator uses the Rate of Return formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates the total percentage return by considering both capital appreciation and any withdrawals made during the investment period.
Details: Calculating rate of return is essential for evaluating investment performance, making informed financial decisions, comparing different investment options, and assessing portfolio growth over time.
Tips: Enter the starting balance in dollars, ending balance in dollars, and any withdrawals made during the period. All values must be positive numbers, with start balance greater than zero.
Q1: What is a good rate of return?
A: A "good" rate of return depends on the investment type, risk level, and market conditions. Historically, stock market returns average 7-10% annually, while bonds typically yield 2-5%.
Q2: How is this different from annualized return?
A: This calculates total return over the entire period. Annualized return adjusts for the time period to show what the equivalent yearly return would be.
Q3: Should I include deposits in withdrawals?
A: No, withdrawals only include money taken out. Additional deposits should be added to the start balance or treated separately in more complex calculations.
Q4: Can rate of return be negative?
A: Yes, if the investment loses value (end balance is less than start balance minus withdrawals), the rate of return will be negative.
Q5: How does this apply to savings accounts?
A: For savings accounts, this calculates your total return including interest earned, making it easy to compare different savings products.