Investing in mutual funds is a popular way to grow your wealth over time. However, you cannot expect to park your money in a fund and forget about it till its time to cash out. While you may not face any losses, you may lose out on a lot of potential returns. Therefore, when investing in mutual funds returns, monitoring your mutual returns is crucial for evaluating your mutual fund performance. This is where a mutual fund calculator comes in, aiding you to effectively calculate your investment returns and optimize them in the long run. Accordingly, we are here to break down the process of calculating mutual fund returns with and without using a mutual return calculator.
While tools like mutual funds return calculators are handy, understanding the math behind the magic is a key learning process. So, let’s begin with a step-by-step guide to calculating the returns of your mutual funds investment without a calculator:
Step 1: Gather Information
Before you can calculate your mutual fund returns, you need to collect some essential information:
- The initial investment amount: This is the amount you initially invested in the mutual fund.
- The current value of your investment: You can find this information by checking your latest mutual fund statement or your online investment account.
- The time period for which you want to calculate returns: Specify the start and end dates for the calculation.
Step 2: Calculate Total Gains
To calculate the total gains or profit from your investment, subtract your initial investment from the current value of your investment. This formula can be expressed as:
| Total Gains = Current Value – Initial Investment |
For example, if you initially invested ₹50,000 in a mutual fund, and the current value of your investment is ₹70,000, your total gains would be ₹20,000.
Step 3: Calculate Percentage Returns
Percentage returns represent the percentage increase or decrease in your investment. To calculate percentage returns, use the following formula:
| Percentage Returns = (Total Gains / Initial Investment) x 100 |
Continuing with the example, if your total gains are ₹20,000, and your initial investment was ₹50,000, your percentage returns would be:
Percentage Returns = (₹20,000 / ₹50,000) x 100 = 40%
Step 4: Adjust for Time Period
If you want to calculate annualized returns, especially when comparing your mutual fund to other investments or benchmarks, you need to adjust for the time period. To do this, use the following formula:
| Annualised Returns = [(1 + Percentage Returns)^(1 / Number of Years)] – 1 |
For instance, if you had your investment for 2 years and your percentage returns were 40%, your annualized returns would be:
| Annualised Returns = [(1 + 0.40)^(1 / 2)] – 1 ≈ 0.18 or 18% |
Step 5: Consider Dividends and Distributions
If your mutual fund paid out dividends or made capital gain distributions during the investment period, you’ll need to account for these. Add the value of any dividends or distributions received to your total gains.
Step 6: Be Mindful of Taxes and Expenses
Remember that taxes and expenses can impact your actual returns. Taxes are typically due on capital gains, and mutual funds may charge fees or expense ratios. To get a clear picture of your after-tax returns, subtract any applicable taxes and expenses from your total gains.
Step 7: Use Online Tools
Many investment platforms and financial websites offer online calculators and tools to help you calculate mutual fund returns automatically. These tools simplify the process and account for various factors like dividends, distributions, and taxes.
For more useful tools like loan calculators, refer to Finnable’s easy EMI calculator.
Using A Mutual Funds Return Calculator
A mutual fund return calculator is a valuable tool that helps investors estimate the potential returns on their investments. It is a quick one-stop solution that can help you estimate your mutual fund investment terms and prepare a payment plan accordingly.
Before the application process, it is important to know the main components of a mutual fund calculator so that you know what you are working with:
Components-
- Initial Investment: This is the amount of money you initially invest in the mutual fund. It serves as the starting point for your calculations.
- Expected Rate of Return: The expected rate of return is your estimate of the annual growth or return you anticipate from your investments. It’s often expressed as a percentage and is a critical input for projecting future wealth.
- Investment Tenure: This component represents the duration for which you intend to stay invested in the mutual fund. It’s typically measured in years and influences your projected returns.
- SIP Amount (if applicable): If you’re using a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) calculator, you’ll input the fixed amount you plan to invest at regular intervals, usually monthly. This amount ensures consistent contributions over time.
- Investment Frequency (for SIP calculators): For SIP calculators, you choose the frequency at which you’ll make contributions, such as monthly or quarterly. This component helps calculate the number of contributions made during the investment tenure.
- Total Amount Invested: The calculator computes the sum of all your investments over the chosen tenure, considering your initial investment and SIP contributions.
- Estimated Future Value: This is the projected value of your investments at the end of the selected tenure, considering the expected rate of return. It helps you understand the potential growth of your investment.
- Gains or Returns: The difference between the estimated future value and the total amount invested represents your potential profits or returns on the investment.
Steps-
1. Access the Calculator: Find a reliable mutual fund calculator online.
2. Gather Information: Collect details like initial investment, expected return rate, investment tenure, SIP amount (if applicable), and investment frequency (for SIP calculators).
3. Enter Information: Input the gathered data into the calculator.
4. Calculate: Click the “Calculate” button.
5. Review Results: Examine the displayed summary, including total invested, estimated future value, and potential gains.
6. Analyse and Adjust: Understand how changing inputs impacts your projected returns.
7. Align with Goals: Ensure your investments align with your financial objectives.
8. Regular Review: Periodically use the calculator to track your investment progress and make adjustments when necessary.
Remember…
Calculating mutual fund returns is essential for evaluating investment performance. By following these steps, investors can estimate their returns accurately and make informed decisions. Remember to consider factors like taxes, expenses, and dividends for a more realistic view of your actual returns. Utilizing online calculators simplifies the process and ensures accuracy. Understanding the components of mutual fund return calculators empowers investors to align their investments with financial goals effectively. Periodic reviews using these calculators help track progress and make necessary adjustments, making the journey to financial success clearer and more manageable.
