CAGR Formula

CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) refers to the rate of return that is achieved by an investment by growing from its beginning value to its ending value, based on the assumption that the profits during the tenure of the investment were reinvested at the end of each year.

The formula can be used to calculate the overall performance of various investment avenues or financial instruments like bonds, stocks, projects, etc which involve returns for a number of years. It is a valuable tool for evaluating the growth or decline in investment valuation in order to make analysis and financial decisions.

It is calculated by dividing the value of the investment available at the period’s end by its beginning value and then raising the resultant to the exponent of the one divided by a number of the years and from further resultant subtract one.

It is important to understand how to calculate CAGR formula. It is calculated by dividing the value of the investment available at the period’s end by its beginning value and then raising the resultant to the exponent of the one divided by a number of the years and from further resultant subtract one.

The formula can also be expressed by adding one to the absolute return on investment (ROI), then raising the result to the power of reciprocity of the tenure of investment and then finally subtracting one.

where Absolute ROI = (Ending value - Beginning value) / Beginning value

Various types of investment can be compared using this method which have investment horizon that are similar to each other. The revenue CAGR formula provides clarity regarding investment performance. It however assumes that the growth rate remains the same throughout the entire time horizon of the investment. In case the investment is very volatile, then the results may not provide a clear picture.

Let us understand the concept of revenue CAGR formula with the help of some suitable examples.

Example #1

Let us take an example of David, who invested $50,000 in a portfolio on Jan 1, 2015, and the following portfolio return has been outlined below:

• On Jan 1, 2016, the value of the portfolio stood at $60,000
• On Jan 1, 2017, the value of the portfolio was $73,000
• On Jan 1, 2018, the value of the portfolio was $70,000
• On Jan 1, 2019, the value of the portfolio was $85,000

Based on the given, determine the yearly return and the CAGR for David’s investment portfolio.

Use the following data for the calculation of CAGR.

Return for the 1^st year

• Return for 1^st year = * 100%
• = * 100%
• = 20.00%

Return for 2^nd year

• Return for 2^nd year = * 100%
• = 21.67%

Return for 3^rd year

• Return for 3^rd year = * 100%
• = -4.11%

Return for 4^th year

• Return for 4^th year = * 100%
• = 21.43%

Now, let us do the calculation of the CAGR in excel based on the given information,

• CAGR = * 100%

CAGR will be -

• CAGR = 14.19%

Therefore, the above example shows how CAGR encapsulates all the growth and de-growth during the investment period and provides an average annual growth rate during the investment tenure.

Example #2

Let us take an example of an equity portfolio that has value growth such that the absolute return over the period of five years stood at 57%. Do the calculation for the CAGR of the portfolio.

Therefore, the calculation of CAGR of the portfolio can be done as,

• CAGR = * 100%
• = * 100%

CAGR will be -

• CAGR = 9.44%

Therefore, the CAGR of the equity portfolio after five years stood at 9.44%.

Thus, the above examples clearly explains how an analyst can calculate CAGR formula for days, months or years and evaluate the viability of any investment over a period of time.

Let us understand the uses of the annually or monthly CAGR formula in details.

• It is important for the analyst to understand the concept of the compounded annual growth rate because it can be used to calculate the average growth of an investment.
• Under certain circumstances, the market becomes volatile, and as such, the year-to-year growth of an investment may appear uneven and erratic. In such a case, the CAGR helps in smoothing the erratic growth rates that are expected due to market volatility and inconsistency.
• Another use of the CAGR equation is that it can be used for comparison of investments of different types.
• Nevertheless, the CAGR has its drawback: by smoothening the erratic returns on investment, the CAGR conceals from the investor returnsreturns on investment, the CAGR conceals from the investor the fact of how risky or volatile the portfolio has been during its investment tenure.

• The annually or monthly CAGR formula is useful for any finance professional who are into evaluation and assessment of investment performance in various fields. It includes bankers, financial analysts, stock traders, individual investors, financial advisors, etc.
• It helps in analyzing the performance using historical data and past CAGR calculations. This provides a view of the current circumstances, changes over the years, and a forecast based on current data and analysis.

However, despite the drawback, the CAGR remains a very useful performance indicator for investors and analysts.