This tool measures the compound growth rate of an investment portfolio over time, factoring in cash flows. For example, imagine an initial investment of $1,000 that grows to $1,200 in the first year, then receives an additional $1,000 contribution, and subsequently grows to $2,500 by the end of the second year. Instead of simply calculating the total return, this method isolates the return for each period and compounds them to arrive at a more accurate performance figure. This isolates the impact of contributions and withdrawals on the overall return, providing a truer reflection of investment management skill.
Accurately assessing portfolio performance is essential for both individual investors and financial professionals. This method provides a standardized, objective performance measure, unlike simple return calculations that can be skewed by the timing and size of cash flows. Its development marked a significant advancement in investment performance measurement, allowing for more meaningful comparisons between different portfolios and investment managers over varying time horizons. This facilitates informed decision-making about asset allocation and manager selection.
