What is CAGR? Meaning, Calculation & Its Role in Mutual Funds

This metric helps investors understand how much an investment has grown annually over a specific period, assuming a steady growth rate. Unlike absolute returns, CAGR smooths out fluctuations, making it a useful tool for comparing different investments.

Policy Term

Amount

Payment Frequency

YearlyMonthly

What is CAGR in Mutual Funds?

CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) represents the average annual growth rate of an investment over a set period. It assumes that the investment grows at a steady rate each year, even though actual returns may vary. This metric is commonly used in stock markets, mutual funds, and business financial analysis to evaluate performance over time.

Formula: CAGR = {(EV/BV)^1/n} − 1) × 100

Where

EV = Ending Value of the investment
BV = Beginning Value of the investment
N = Number of years

Example

Suppose you invested AED 10,000 in a stock, and its value grew to AED 20,000 in 5 years. The CAGR would be calculated as —

CAGR = {[(20,000 / 10,000) ^ (1/5)] - 1} x 100 = [(2 ^ 0.2) - 1] x 100 = 14.87%

This means your investment grew at an average annual rate of 14.87% over 5 years.

Why is CAGR Important?

CAGR is widely used because it provides a realistic measure of investment growth. Some key benefits include —

Clarity: Gives a single annualised rate of return, making comparisons easier
Comparative Analysis: Helps you compare different investments, funds, or stocks
Performance Benchmarking: Assists in evaluating business growth, stock performance, and market trends

Features to Consider When Using CAGR

Here are some key factors to consider when using CAGR to analyse investments —

Market Fluctuations: Markets go up and down, which can impact CAGR. High short-term returns or losses don’t always last, so it’s important to consider long-term trends and volatility.
Currency Changes: If investing in foreign markets, currency exchange rates can affect CAGR. Consider these fluctuations when evaluating returns.
Risk: CAGR doesn’t show the risk involved in an investment. A higher CAGR may mean better returns, but it could also come with high risk. Always check the risk level before making decisions.
Time Period: The longer the time frame, the more accurate the CAGR. Short-term calculations can be misleading, so use consistent time periods when comparing investments.
Fees: Any applicable fees can reduce your actual returns. Always factor this in when calculating CAGR.

For example, if there’s an increase in the stock price from Rs 150 (AED 6.34*) to Rs 200 (AED 8.45*) in two years, it implies a CAGR of 15%. However, during this period, the price may have fluctuated (e.g., rising to Rs 250 (AED 10.57) in the first year and then falling back to Rs 200 (AED 8.45)). Despite this, the overall CAGR stays at 15%.

*Currency exchange rates are subject to change

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How to Use CAGR?

CAGR is useful in various financial scenarios, including —

Investment Analysis: Evaluating stocks, mutual funds, and fixed-income securities
Business Growth Measurement: Assessing revenue, sales, or market capitalisation trends
Comparing Alternative Investments: Understanding how different investment options perform over time

CAGR in Mutual Funds and Stocks

Category	Explanation
Mutual Funds	CAGR is used to track the long-term performance of mutual funds Helps investors compare funds with different return patterns
Stock Market	Smooths out market volatility and provides a clearer picture of a stock’s performance over several years Does not account for short-term fluctuations

Advantages and Limitations of CAGR

Advantages

Easy to calculate and understand

Useful for long-term investment comparisons

Eliminates short-term market fluctuations

Limitations

Does not consider market volatility

Assumes a constant growth rate, which may not be realistic

Does not reflect external factors like economic changes or company-specific risks

Key Insights You Should Know About CAGR
A CAGR is not a guarantee of future performance — market conditions can change, and all investments carry inherent risks It helps investors understand the long-term performance of an investment by smoothing volatility, even if it experiences short-term ups and downs You can rely on it for longer investment periods because short-term fluctuations make the CAGR calculation less accurate It should be used alongside other financial metrics to get a complete understanding of investment performance

Key Insights You Should Know About CAGR

A CAGR is not a guarantee of future performance — market conditions can change, and all investments carry inherent risks
It helps investors understand the long-term performance of an investment by smoothing volatility, even if it experiences short-term ups and downs
You can rely on it for longer investment periods because short-term fluctuations make the CAGR calculation less accurate
It should be used alongside other financial metrics to get a complete understanding of investment performance

Frequently Asked Questions

CAGR is calculated using the beginning value, ending value, and the number of years of an investment. It measures the average annual growth rate over a specified period, smoothing out fluctuations.

CAGR is an investment's average annual growth rate over a period longer than a year. It is a reliable method for calculating returns on individual assets, investment portfolios, and anything whose value changes over time.

Excel's CAGR function determines an investment's return over a given time frame. It is widely used by financial analysts, business owners, and investment managers in spreadsheets.

A 3-year CAGR measures the annualised growth of an investment over three years, including per-share price increases and any dividends paid during that period.

CAGR assumes consistent yearly growth, whereas a traditional growth rate does not account for fluctuations. Investors prefer CAGR because it smooths out volatility, providing a clear picture of long-term performance.

Yes, if your investment declines over time instead of growing, it will have a negative CAGR.

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