ROI & CAGR Calculator
Calculate the absolute Return on Investment (ROI), net profit, and Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for any investment asset or business project.
Ongoing Cash Flows
Performance Projections
| Year | Asset Value | Cumulative Income | Cumulative Expenses | Total Outlay | Total returns | Cumulative ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $55,598.08 | $2,000.00 | $500.00 | $50,500.00 | $57,598.08 | 14.06% |
| 2 | $61,822.93 | $4,000.00 | $1,000.00 | $51,000.00 | $65,822.93 | 29.06% |
| 3 | $68,744.72 | $6,000.00 | $1,500.00 | $51,500.00 | $74,744.72 | 45.14% |
| 4 | $76,441.49 | $8,000.00 | $2,000.00 | $52,000.00 | $84,441.49 | 62.39% |
| 5 | $85,000.00 | $10,000.00 | $2,500.00 | $52,500.00 | $95,000.00 | 80.95% |
Understanding ROI vs. CAGR Formulas
The calculator computes three key investment metrics:
- Net Profit: Total returns (Asset final value + cumulative annual income) minus Total outlays (Initial investment + cumulative annual expenses).
- Absolute ROI: Net Profit divided by Total Outlays, expressed as a percentage. It represents absolute gains regardless of time.
- CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate): The annual growth rate required to turn your initial purchase price into its final value over the holding period:
CAGR = (Final Value ÷ Initial Investment)^(1 ÷ Years) - 1.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ROI and CAGR?
ROI (Return on Investment) measures the absolute percentage gain or loss on an investment relative to its cost, regardless of how long it was held. CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) measures the annualized rate of return, representing the steady geometric rate at which the investment grew each year.
Why is annualized ROI important?
Annualized ROI is crucial because it allows you to compare investments held for different lengths of time. A 50% absolute ROI over 10 years (4.1% annualized) is less efficient than a 20% absolute ROI over 1 year (20% annualized).
How do annual expenses and income affect ROI?
Ongoing income (like dividends or rental income) increases your total returns, while ongoing expenses (like property taxes or management fees) increase your total outlays. Both are factored into your net profit to calculate the true net ROI.