Investment return calculator
Project a portfolio forward under weak, expected and strong markets - or switch modes to measure the return you have already earned, as both a total return and an annualised rate.
WealthPath Calculator · Investment Return Calculator · report generated for personal use
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How this calculator works
In projection mode the portfolio grows monthly at your expected rate with contributions applied at the start of each month, and two further scenarios run four points either side of it.
In past-performance mode the annualised return is the compound annual growth rate: the single steady rate that would take your starting value to your ending value over the period held.
Why the scenario chart matters
A four-point spread in average return across a long horizon usually changes the outcome by more than the total you contribute. Any plan with a fixed obligation attached should be built on the lower line.
The insight panel also shows what one percentage point of annual cost removes. Over decades, fees are the one variable you can control with certainty.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between total return and CAGR?
Total return is the whole gain over the period. CAGR is the steady annual rate that would have produced it, which is the only fair way to compare holdings of different lengths.
What return should I use for a projection?
Long-run nominal returns on broad developed-market equity have averaged in the high single digits before inflation and costs. Test a figure two or three points lower as well.
Does this include fees and tax?
No, both reduce the result. The insight panel shows what one percentage point of annual cost removes over your horizon.
What do the three scenarios represent?
Your expected rate, and the same plan four percentage points either side of it. The spread is usually wider than people expect.
Can I work out the return on something I already own?
Yes - switch to 'check past returns', enter what you invested, what it is worth now and how long you have held it.
Worked examples using this calculator
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