Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) are one of the popular methods through which investors invest in mutual funds on a periodic basis. Calculating SIP returns is not like analyzing lump-sum investments since the returns are a function of the time of investment, the number of installments, and the mutual fund's overall performance. This guide illustrates several ways of calculating SIP returns and the formulae used to analyze the performance of your SIP investments.
Understanding SIP Returns: An Overview
SIP returns are a calculation of financial gain or loss earned through investing in a mutual fund on a regular basis using SIPs. This return calculation considers various factors like frequency of investment, time duration, and the mutual fund's rate of return. In contrast to lump sum investments, SIP returns are affected by the date of each investment and market movements between the start date and maturity date of the investment. It's essential to compute SIP returns correctly to comprehend the performance of your investment plan.
Methods to Calculate SIP Returns
There are various methods to calculate SIP returns, but some of the common ones are:
Using XIRR for SIP Return Calculation
XIRR, or Extended Internal Rate of Return, is one of the precise methods to calculate SIP returns. Unlike others, XIRR considers the date of your actual SIP contributions, and this allows for an accurate calculation of returns. This is especially necessary since SIPs comprise multiple payments made over time, and the effect of each payment on the total return depends upon when the payment was made.
Calculating SIP Returns with CAGR
Another popular method used to calculate the returns of SIP is CAGR, or Compounded Annual Growth Rate. It gives you an average return per year over a period, assuming that the investment grows at a consistent rate every year. Even though it doesn't account for the timing of each individual SIP, it is still a good estimate for long-term investments.
The CAGR formula is as follows:
CAGR = [(Ending Value/Beginning Value) ^ (1/N)]-1
This method is simple to use but may not reflect the exact performance if contributions are irregular or made over short periods.
SIP Return Calculation Formula
SIP returns can be calculated using two primary methods: XIRR (Extended Internal Rate of Return) and CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate). Each formula serves a different purpose and is suited for different types of investment timelines and cash flows.
1. XIRR Formula for SIP
XIRR is a financial function used to calculate returns when there are multiple cash flows at different intervals, as is the case with SIPs. It is commonly used to determine the internal rate of return where investment amounts and dates are not uniform. Since solving the equation manually is complex, Excel or Google Sheets is used:
Formula: XIRR=XIRR(values, dates)
2. CAGR Formula for SIP
CAGR is useful when calculating the average rate of return if you treat all SIP investments as a single lump sum over a time period. While it doesn’t account for individual cash flow timing, it can still indicate overall growth.
Formula:
CAGR = [(Ending Value / Beginning Value)^(1/n)] - 1
Where:
Ending Value: The current or final value of the investment at the end of the investment period.
Beginning Value: The value of the investment at the start of the period (initial investment amount).
n: The number of years the investment was held (duration of investment in years).
Each method requires knowing the total value of the investment, the amount invested, and the period of investment to calculate the returns.
Step-by-Step Guide to Calculate SIP Returns
Here’s how you can calculate SIP returns step by step:
Determine your SIP details:
Start by gathering all the SIP-related information. This will include every amount of investment, the respective date of investment, and the end value of the investment or redemption amount. If it is an ongoing SIP, consider using the latest NAV-based portfolio value.
Choose a calculation method:
Choose to calculate returns either using XIRR (more precise in SIPs) or CAGR (helpful for long-run estimation). Use XIRR where there are frequent cash flows at different times.
Gather data:
Enter every SIP payment as a negative cash flow (as it's an outgoing). The current or final amount should be entered as a positive cash flow (inflow). All the entries must have specific dates.
Use a calculator or Excel/Google Sheets:
Online SIP calculators often calculate returns using XIRR. Alternatively, use Excel to calculate XIRR using the formula.
Interpret the result:
Once the calculation is done, you will have your annualized return percentage, which reflects the growth of your SIP investment.
Tools to Calculate SIP Returns
Several online tools and calculators are available to help you calculate SIP returns. These tools use the XIRR method to calculate returns based on your investment dates and amounts. Some popular options include:
Online SIP Return Calculator:
Many financial websites, including mutual fund websites, provide free SIP return calculators. These calculators enable you to input your monthly investment amount, investment tenure, and expected or prevailing rate of return. The calculator then gives you the total corpus value and estimated return.
Excel or Google Sheets:
Spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets offer built-in financial functions such as XIRR(). By entering your SIP investment amounts and corresponding dates, you can calculate annualized returns accurately. This is a widely used tool for investors managing their own portfolios.
Mobile Apps:
Several AMCs and investment platforms have mobile apps with return calculation and SIP tracking features. The apps automatically fetch real-time fund values and calculate returns, employing inbuilt formulas such as XIRR.
Common Mistakes in SIP Return Calculation
There are a few common errors to watch out for when calculating SIP returns:
Ignoring the Impact of Investment Dates:
One of the most common mistakes is to believe that SIP investments are done on one date or at regular intervals without taking into account the actual dates of transactions. This results in erroneous return values, particularly when calculating CAGR rather than XIRR.
Using CAGR for SIP Instead of XIRR:
CAGR is based on a lump sum investment and does not take into consideration several cash flows at varying times. It can hugely mislead SIP returns when applied to SIPs. XIRR is the right approach for SIPs because it takes into consideration the timing and frequency.
Not Including the Final Value Properly:
Some calculations leave out the last investment amount or add it inappropriately as a negative cash flow. The last cash flow (redemption or value of the current portfolio) must always be a positive entry.
Failing to Account for Missed or Skipped SIPs:
Omitting SIP installments or stopping them without accounting for it in the return calculation can skew the results. Every installment (or lack of it) must be accounted for correctly.
Conclusion
It is necessary to calculate SIP returns in order to assess how well your investment strategy has performed. Two popular measures are XIRR and CAGR. While CAGR presents a general picture based on average annual returns, the use of XIRR is more precise for SIPs as it can consider investments made at intervals rather than at a point in time. Knowledge about these metrics enables the investor to understand their returns better. No matter if you utilize Excel, internet calculators, or mutual fund websites, having an idea about how the math works is essential to ensure you're accurately tracking your portfolio. It can assist with improved monitoring and checking of your long-term objectives.