Annualised ROI is a version of the return on investment metric
that adjusts the ROI calculation to reflect the return per year.
This is particularly useful for comparing investments of
different durations, as it provides a standardized way of
evaluating investment performance over time. While simple ROI
gives a snapshot of the total return relative to the initial
investment, annualised ROI breaks this down to an average annual
figure, making it easier to compare investments over varying
time frames.
The formula for calculating annualised ROI is:
where:
For example, if you invested $1,000 and received $1,600 after 3
years, your simple ROI would be 60% ($600 profit / $1,000
initial investment). However, to find the annualised ROI, you
would calculate it as follows:
This calculation provides a rate that expresses the yearly
return, offering a clearer view of the investment's performance,
especially when comparing investments of different lengths.
The key difference between simple and annualised ROI is the
consideration of time. Simple ROI does not account for how long
an investment is held, which can significantly impact an
investor's perspective on investment efficiency. Annualised ROI,
by standardizing returns to an annual basis, allows for a more
apples-to-apples comparison between investments, regardless of
their duration.
Annualised ROI is particularly important in the context of
long-term investments, such as mutual funds, retirement
accounts, or any investment where the funds are committed for
several years. It helps investors understand not just the total
return they can expect, but how that return translates into an
average yearly gain, providing a clearer picture of the
investment's potential growth over time.