What Is CAGR? How it works with Example

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Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) is a widely used financial metric that measures an investment's annual growth rate over a specific period. However, despite its popularity, many people are still unfamiliar with how CAGR works and how it is calculated. In this guide, we will explain CAGR meaning and how it works. We will delve into the concept of CAGR, its benefits, and the formula used to calculate it.

What is CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate)?

The concept of CAGR, or Compound Annual Growth Rate, plays a crucial role in analysing and understanding the growth potential of investments over an extended period. It represents an investment's mean annual growth rate over a specified period, typically longer than one year. It provides a more accurate representation of the investment's performance by smoothing out the volatility and fluctuations that can occur with simple annual growth calculations.

Unlike simple annual growth rates that short-term market fluctuations can influence, CAGR considers the compounding effect of returns, providing a more accurate measure of long-term growth. This makes it a valuable tool for investors and analysts seeking to evaluate an investment's sustainable growth over time.

How does CAGR Work?

Suppose you are contemplating investing in Company XYZ, an emerging technology start-up. To evaluate the possible growth of your investment over the next five years, you decide to calculate the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR).

In Year 1, you invest Rs. 7,50,000 in the company. By the end of Year 5, the value of your investment has risen to Rs. 15,00,000.

The CAGR is calculated using the formula - [(Ending Value/Beginning Value)^(1/Number of Years)] - 1.

Substituting the values, we get [(1500000/750000)^(1/5)] - 1, which simplifies to (2^(1/5)) - 1 ≈ 0.1487, or 14.87%.

This means that, on average, your investment in Company XYZ has grown at approximately 14.87% per year over the five-year tenure.

How to Calculate (CAGR)Compound Annual Growth Rate?

Compound Annual Growth Rate, or CAGR, is an effective measure for assessing an investment's growth over a defined time frame. To determine CAGR, you need three components: the final value (FV), the initial value (PV), and the time period in years (n). The formula used for calculating CAGR is [(FV/PV)^(1/n)]—1.

CAGR in mutual funds is advantageous because it accounts for the compounding effect and smooths out short-term fluctuations, providing a more accurate representation of the investment's performance. It is commonly used to compare investment opportunities and gauge long-term growth potential.

Why is CAGR Useful to You?

CAGR, an annual growth rate formula, is a crucial tool for investors to understand the true performance of their investments over time. Unlike simple average returns, CAGR takes into account the compounding effect, providing a more accurate representation of growth.

By calculating CAGR, investors can obtain a realistic view of their investment performance, accounting for both gains and losses. This is especially important for long-term investments, where short-term fluctuations can be misleading. Additionally, CAGR enables investors to compare the growth rates of different investments, aiding in making informed decisions.

By evaluating the CAGR of various options, investors can assess their long-term growth potential and choose the most suitable investment for their goals and risk tolerance. Thus, understanding CAGR and its application empowers investors to make informed decisions and maximise their returns.

Use of Compound Annual Growth Rate

CAGR, or Compound Annual Growth Rate, finds broad applications in various financial contexts, making it a valuable tool for investors. One such application is in personal investment portfolios, where CAGR helps assess the long-term growth and performance of individual investments.

By calculating the CAGR of each asset, investors can determine which investments have generated consistent and substantial returns over time. Similarly, CAGR proves particularly useful when evaluating mutual funds, allowing investors to compare the performance of different funds and make informed decisions based on their CAGR values.

Further, CAGR assists in comparing the growth rates of various financial instruments over the same period. This comparison enables investors to identify investment options that have shown consistent growth and have the potential for long-term profitability.

Therefore, by utilising the CAGR formula, investors can effectively analyse and compare investment options, leading to more informed and successful investment decisions.

CAGR in Mutual Funds

CAGR plays a crucial role in evaluating the performance of mutual funds over various time frames. By calculating the CAGR of a mutual fund, investors can gain valuable insights into its average annual growth rate, smoothing out the volatility in returns.

This allows for a more accurate assessment of the fund's performance over the long term. CAGR considers the compounding effect of returns, providing a standardised measure that can be used to compare mutual funds.

CAGR in mutual funds is necessary for investors to evaluate the potential returns of the investments. It helps investors identify funds that have consistently generated higher CAGR values, indicating a strong track record of delivering consistent returns. Furthermore, CAGR is essential in long-term financial planning as it helps investors gauge the growth potential of their investments over extended periods.

Thus, understanding and utilising CAGR is crucial for evaluating mutual fund performance and making informed investment decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is CAGR's basic formula?

The formula used for calculating CAGR is [(FV/PV)^(1/n)]—1

where FV is the future value, PV is the present value, and n is the number of years.

What does 10% CAGR mean?

A 10% CAGR means that investment has grown at an average rate of 10% per year over the specified period.

What does 20% CAGR mean?

A 20% CAGR indicates that an investment has increased by an average of 20% annually over the specified timeframe.

Who has the highest CAGR?

Identifying who or which investment has the highest CAGR requires specific context, as it can vary widely across different investments and periods.

How much CAGR is good for SIP?

A "good" CAGR for a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) depends on the market, the specific mutual fund, and the investor's financial goals. Generally, a CAGR that outperforms the benchmark and inflation rate is considered favourable.