Lesson

Time-weighted returns are a method of measuring the performance of an investment portfolio by taking into account the timing and size of cash flows. This method is beneficial for comparing the performance of different investment managers or strategies, as it eliminates the impact of cash inflows and outflows on the overall return. Time-weighted returns are calculated by breaking down the investment period into sub-periods and calculating the return for each sub-period, then geometrically linking these returns to arrive at the overall time-weighted return.

Practice Question #1

What is the primary purpose of using time-weighted returns to measure investment performance?

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Terms

Time-weighted return:
A method of measuring investment performance that considers the timing and size of cash flows.

Practice Question #2

Which method of calculating investment performance is most sensitive to the timing of cash flows?

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Do Not Confuse With

Dollar-weighted return:
A method of measuring investment performance that focuses on the size of cash flows rather than their timing.
Simple return:
A method of measuring investment performance that does not consider the timing or size of cash flows.

Practice Question #3

What is the process of combining sub-period returns to calculate the overall time-weighted return called?

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Real-World Example

An investor has a portfolio managed by two different investment managers. Manager A generates a time-weighted return of 8% over the year, while Manager B generates a time-weighted return of 6%. By comparing these time-weighted returns, the investor can determine that Manager A has performed better in managing the portfolio, regardless of the timing and size of cash flows.

Practice Question #4

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More Detail

* Time-weighted return: Time-weighted return is a measure of the compound rate of growth of an investment portfolio over a specified period, taking into account the timing and size of cash flows (such as contributions and withdrawals). It eliminates the impact of cash flows and focuses solely on the investment manager's performance.

Practice Question #5

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More Detail Examples

* Time-weighted return example: An investor starts with a $10,000 portfolio and contributes $5,000 after six months. The portfolio grows to $18,000 by the end of the year. The time-weighted return would account for the growth of the initial $10,000 and the growth of the additional $5,000 separately, then combine them to determine the overall return.

Practice Question #6

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Pitfalls to Remember

Time-weighted return pitfall:
Time-weighted return may not accurately reflect the investor's personal experience if they make significant contributions or withdrawals at different times. It is more useful for comparing the performance of investment managers rather than individual investors' experiences.

Practice Question #7

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