Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) Calculator
The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) is a sophisticated metric used to measure the annualized rate of return of an investment over a specified period of time longer than one year. It smooths out the volatility of returns by assuming the investment grew at a steady rate each year. CAGR is particularly useful for comparing the performance of different investments, understanding historical growth trends, and forecasting future growth potential.
What is CAGR?
Imagine you invested $10,000 in a stock. After 5 years, your investment is worth $25,000. The CAGR helps you understand what the average annual growth rate would have been if your investment had grown at a constant pace each year, ignoring the ups and downs in between. It provides a more stable and comparable measure than simple average returns.
Why Use CAGR?
- Investment Comparison: It allows for a like-for-like comparison of investments with different growth patterns over varying timeframes.
- Performance Evaluation: Businesses use CAGR to assess the growth of revenue, profits, or market share over several years.
- Forecasting: While not a guarantee, CAGR can be used to project future growth based on historical performance.
How is CAGR Calculated?
The formula for CAGR is:
CAGR = [(Ending Value / Beginning Value)^(1 / Number of Years)] – 1
CAGR Calculator
Use the calculator below to easily determine the Compound Annual Growth Rate for your investment.