Lesson

Dollar-weighted returns, also known as the internal rate of return (IRR), is a performance measure that considers the timing and amount of cash flows in a portfolio. It is particularly useful for evaluating the performance of investments with irregular cash flows, such as mutual funds or individual stocks. Dollar-weighted returns provide a more accurate reflection of an investor's experience as they consider the impact of cash inflows and outflows on the overall return.

Practice Question #1

Which performance measure takes into account the timing and amount of cash flows in a portfolio?

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Terms

Dollar-weighted return:
A performance measure that considers the timing and amount of cash flows in a portfolio.
Internal Rate of Return (IRR):
The discount rate that makes the net present value of a project's cash flows equal to zero.
Internal rate of return (IRR):
Another term for dollar-weighted return.
Cash flow:
The inflow and outflow of cash in a portfolio.
Net present value (NPV):
The difference between cash inflows' present value and cash outflows' present value.

Practice Question #2

What is another term for dollar-weighted return?

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Do Not Confuse With

Time-weighted return:
A performance measure that does not consider the impact of cash flows on the overall return, unlike dollar-weighted return.
Simple rate of return:
A performance measure that only considers an investment's initial and final values without accounting for cash flows.

Practice Question #3

Which of the following is NOT considered when calculating dollar-weighted returns?

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Historical Example

In the late 1990s, a popular mutual fund experienced significant inflows and outflows due to its high returns. Investors who entered and exited the fund at different times had varying experiences, with some earning high returns and others losing money. The dollar-weighted return of the fund provided a more accurate reflection of the investors' actual experiences, as it took into account the timing and amount of their cash flows.

Practice Question #4

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Real-World Example

An investor purchases shares of a mutual fund at different times and in varying amounts. Over the course of a year, the investor experiences a mix of gains and losses. By calculating the dollar-weighted return, the investor can determine their actual performance, considering the timing and amount of their investments.

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More Detail

- Dollar-weighted return: Dollar-weighted return is a measure of an investment's performance that takes into account the timing and amount of cash flows. It is also known as the internal rate of return (IRR) and represents the rate at which an investment breaks even in terms of net present value (NPV).

Practice Question #6

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More Detail Examples

- Dollar-weighted return example: An investor makes an initial investment of $10,000 and then adds $5,000 after one year. After two years, the total value of the investment is $18,000. The dollar-weighted return considers the timing and amount of the cash flows, resulting in a more accurate representation of the investment's performance.

Practice Question #7

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Pitfalls to Remember

- Dollar-weighted return pitfall:
The dollar-weighted return can be misleading if there are large cash flows in a short period of time, as it may overstate or understate the actual performance of the investment.

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