What is the Difference Between XIRR vs CAGR: Meaning

Understanding CAGR and XIRR in Mutual Fund Investing

Mutual funds are a popular investment option for those seeking a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, and other assets. As with any investment, it is important to understand the metrics used to evaluate performance. Two key metrics for measuring investment returns in mutual funds are the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) and the Extended Internal Rate of Return (XIRR).

CAGR in Mutual Fund

CAGR stands for Compound Annual Growth Rate. It is a measure of the average annual growth rate of an investment over a specified period, taking into account the effects of compounding. In the context of mutual funds, CAGR is a useful metric to evaluate the performance of the fund over a certain period.

The CAGR in a mutual fund is the annualized return earned by the fund over a specified period. It is calculated by taking the total return earned by the mutual fund during the specified period and calculating the equivalent annual growth rate that would have resulted in the same total return.

For example, if a mutual fund has a starting value of Rs. 100 and it grows to Rs. 150 after 3 years, the total return is Rs. 50. The CAGR for the 3 years would be calculated by finding the annualized rate of return that would result in a total return of Rs. 50 over 3 years.

The formula for calculating CAGR is:

CAGR = (Ending value / Beginning value) ^ (1 / number of years) - 1

where the beginning value is the initial value of the investment, the ending value is the final value of the investment, and the number of years is the investment period.

CAGR is a useful metric to evaluate the performance of a mutual fund because it takes into account the effects of compounding, which means that it reflects the actual rate of return earned by the fund. However, it is important to remember that past performance is not a guarantee of future results and that other factors such as fees, expenses, and market conditions can also affect the performance of a mutual fund.

XIRR in Mutual Fund

XIRR (Extended Internal Rate of Return) is a measure of return used in financial analysis to evaluate the performance of investments such as mutual funds. It is a more comprehensive measure of return than other measures like CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) as it takes into account the timing and amount of all cash flows, including both inflows (e.g., purchases) and outflows (e.g., redemptions) during the investment period.

XIRR is particularly useful for measuring the performance of mutual funds that involve periodic investments or redemptions, such as SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) investments. It calculates the rate of return that would make the present value of all cash flows, both inflows and outflows, equal to zero.

XIRR can be calculated using spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. The formula for calculating XIRR involves specifying the range of cash flows, including the dates and amounts of the investments and redemptions.

The XIRR formula calculates the rate at which the net present value (NPV) of all cash flows is zero:

XIRR = (1 + r)^(365/days) - 1

where r is the XIRR rate, and days is the number of days between the first and last cash flows.

In a mutual fund, XIRR can be used to evaluate the returns generated by periodic investments made by an investor or the overall returns generated by the mutual fund over a certain period. However, it is important to note that like any other investment metric, XIRR cannot guarantee future performance and should be used in conjunction with other investment analysis tools

CAGR vs XIRR

CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) and XIRR (Extended Internal Rate of Return) are both metrics used to evaluate the performance of an investment like mutual funds. However, they differ in the way they calculate returns and the factors they take into account. The following table provides a comparison between CAGR and XIRR:

CAGR is a measure of the annualized growth rate of an investment, taking into account the beginning and ending value of the investment and the period over which the investment was held. It does not consider the timing and amount of any cash flows that may have occurred during the investment period.

On the other hand, XIRR is a more comprehensive measure of return that takes into account the timing and amount of all cash flows, including both inflows and outflows, during the investment period. XIRR calculates the rate of return that would make the present value of all cash flows, both inflows and outflows, equal to zero.

CAGR is useful for evaluating the long-term performance of an investment, while XIRR is particularly useful for evaluating the performance of mutual funds that involve periodic investments or redemptions, such as SIP investments. By taking into account the timing and amount of all cash flows, XIRR provides a more accurate measure of the overall returns generated by a mutual fund over a certain period.

In summary, both CAGR and XIRR are useful measures for evaluating investment performance, but they should be used in conjunction with other investment analysis tools to provide a more complete picture of an investment's performance.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, CAGR and XIRR are important metrics for evaluating the performance of mutual fund investments. CAGR is a useful measure for comparing the performance of different investments over the same period, while XIRR takes into account the timing and size of cash flows and the time value of money. It is important to understand both metrics and use them in conjunction with each other to get a comprehensive view of the performance of a mutual fund investment. It is also important to remember that past performance is not a guarantee of future results and that other factors such as market conditions, fees, and the fund manager's strategy should also be taken into account when evaluating mutual fund investments.