CFA® Level 1: Investment Growth Calculation

What is the Annual Arithmetic Rate of Return?

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Question

An investment of $100 grows in three years to $221. The investor observes that the annual arithmetic rate of return and the geometric rate of return were the same over this period. The annual arithmetic rate of return must be ________.

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A

If the annual geometric rate of return is r, then 100 * (1 + r)^3 = 221. This gives r = 30.26%. Note that the only way the mean will be equal to the geometric mean if every year, the stock experienced a return of 30.26% per year.