RoR

Definition

RoR stands for Rate of Return, which is the net gain or loss on an investment over a specified period, expressed as a percentage of the initial investment cost.

Origin

The concept of Rate of Return dates back to the early development of financial markets when investors needed a simple way to measure the profitability of their investments. As financial markets became more complex, RoR became a fundamental tool for evaluating investment performance.

Categories and Features

Rate of Return can be categorized into nominal RoR and real RoR. Nominal RoR does not account for inflation, whereas real RoR adjusts for the effects of inflation. Nominal RoR is easier to calculate but may mislead investors about the actual profitability. Real RoR provides a more accurate assessment of investment returns.

Case Studies

Case 1: Apple Inc. had a stock price of about $1 in early 2000, and by 2020, its stock price exceeded $100. Assuming an investor invested $1,000 in 2000, by 2020, the nominal RoR would be 9900%. Case 2: Amazon.com Inc. had a stock price of about $18 when it went public in 1997, and by 2020, its stock price exceeded $3,000. An investor who invested $1,000 in 1997 would have a nominal RoR of over 16000% by 2020.

Common Issues

Investors often misunderstand the difference between nominal and real RoR, overlooking the impact of inflation on investment returns. Additionally, investors may ignore the effect of market volatility on RoR during the investment period.