Average Rate of Return Formula:
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The Average Rate of Return (ARR) is a financial metric used to measure the average annual return on an investment over a specified period. It provides a simple way to evaluate investment performance by calculating the mean return across multiple years.
The calculator uses the ARR formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the arithmetic mean of annual returns, providing a straightforward measure of average investment performance.
Details: ARR is crucial for investment analysis, portfolio management, and comparing different investment opportunities. It helps investors understand the typical annual performance of their investments over time.
Tips: Enter annual returns as comma-separated percentage values (e.g., "15, 20, 12, 18"). The calculator will automatically calculate the average rate of return and display the number of years analyzed.
Q1: What is the difference between ARR and CAGR?
A: ARR calculates simple arithmetic mean, while CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) accounts for compounding effects and provides the geometric mean return.
Q2: When should I use ARR vs other return metrics?
A: ARR is best for analyzing investments with consistent returns, while CAGR is better for investments with volatile returns due to compounding effects.
Q3: What are typical ARR values for different investments?
A: Stock market investments typically range 7-10% ARR, bonds 3-5%, while high-risk investments may show higher variability.
Q4: Does ARR account for risk?
A: No, ARR only measures average returns. Risk assessment requires additional metrics like standard deviation or Sharpe ratio.
Q5: Can ARR be negative?
A: Yes, if the investment experiences overall losses during the period, ARR can be negative indicating average annual loss.