Determining mutual fund returns doesn't require rocket science; it simply demands a grasp of fundamental mathematics and familiarity with Excel.

When it comes to investing in mutual funds, there are two primary approaches: lump-sum investments and Systematic Investment Plans (SIP). It's important to note that the methodology for calculating returns differs between these two methods.

Lumpsum Investment return calculation

Absolute Return - This is the simplest method for gauging investment performance, representing the percentage increase or decrease in the initial investment.

Absolute Return (%): [(Current Value - Initial Investment) / Initial Investment] * 100

While it offers a straightforward calculation, absolute return alone may not provide a comprehensive view of overall performance.

Annualized Return - Also referred to as CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate), this method is superior for evaluating performance as it provides an annualized measure of returns.

Annualized Return (%): [(Current Value / Initial Investment)^(1/n) - 1] * 100

This measure facilitates meaningful comparisons of performance across various funds and financial products, offering a more holistic assessment of investment results.

SIP Investment return calculation

In the world of Systematic Investment Plans (SIP), investors commit to regular contributions at predefined intervals over a span of time. This distinctive feature results in varying durations for each individual investment, making the standard return calculations a bit complex.

To address this challenge, the financial industry employs a specialized metric known as 'XIRR' or 'Extended Internal Rate of Return.' This metric offers an annualized perspective on the overall investment, taking into account the diverse investment dates.

To compute the XIRR, Excel provides a convenient formula. To get started, assemble a comprehensive cashflow schedule for your investments, including the amount invested, associated dates, and eventually the current or redemption value along with their respective dates. It's essential to input all investment amounts as negatives and all redemption or received amounts as positives to ensure accurate calculations.

Understanding mutual fund returns

The performance of mutual fund returns is subject to fluctuations, driven by the market's movements from the moment you initiate your investment. In the initial stages of investing, XIRR/CAGR calculations can exhibit significant positivity or negativity, contingent upon the market's performance during that period. It's essential to understand that these initial fluctuations should not elicit excessive excitement or dismay. Over a span of 1-2 years, the returns are likely to stabilize and assume a more reasonable trajectory.

For those investing in pure equity mutual funds, it's prudent to anticipate an average return of 10%-14% over an extended investment horizon. However, it's crucial to recognize that these returns won't follow a linear path and are prone to variances.

Want to understand how much money you can accumulate by doing SIP, check out our mutual fund SIP calculator here.

DISCLAIMER: This blog is solely for educational purposes and not to offer any investment advice. Please do your own research or consult a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.