Investment Return Calculator
Understanding Investment Return on Investment (ROI)
The Return on Investment (ROI) is a fundamental metric used to evaluate the profitability of an investment. It measures the gain or loss generated on an investment relative to its cost. In simpler terms, ROI tells you how much money you made (or lost) for every dollar you put in. A positive ROI indicates a profitable investment, while a negative ROI suggests a loss.
The formula for calculating ROI is straightforward:
ROI (%) = [(Final Value of Investment – Initial Investment Cost) / Initial Investment Cost] * 100
While this basic formula gives you the overall percentage gain, it doesn't account for the time the investment was held. For a more comprehensive understanding, especially when comparing different investments, it's often useful to consider the Annualized ROI. This metric normalizes the return over the period the investment was held, giving you an average yearly return.
The formula for Annualized ROI is:
Annualized ROI (%) = [((Final Value of Investment / Initial Investment Cost) ^ (1 / Number of Years)) – 1] * 100
When to Use the ROI Calculator:
- Evaluating the performance of stocks, bonds, or mutual funds.
- Assessing the profitability of real estate investments.
- Determining the success of business ventures or marketing campaigns.
- Comparing the potential returns of different investment opportunities.
By understanding and calculating ROI, investors can make more informed decisions, identify profitable opportunities, and effectively manage their portfolios.