Expected Return

Investments

Quick Definition

Expected Return is the anticipated profit or loss an investor expects to earn from an investment, based on historical data, probabilities, and market assumptions.

Detailed Explanation

Expected Return is a key concept in investment analysis and portfolio management. It helps investors estimate the potential outcome of an investment before making decisions.

The formula is:
Expected Return = Σ (Probability of Return × Possible Return)

It considers different scenarios and their likelihood, making it useful for evaluating risk vs reward.

Key points about expected return:

  • It is an estimate, not a guaranteed return
  • Used in portfolio diversification and risk assessment
  • Helps compare different investment options
  • Often used with risk measures like variance and standard deviation

A higher expected return usually comes with higher risk, so investors must balance their risk tolerance and investment goals.

Example

"<p>If an investment has:</p> <ul> <li>50% chance of 10% return</li> <li>50% chance of 5% return</li> </ul> <p> Expected Return = (0.5 × 10) + (0.5 × 5) = <strong>7.5%</strong> </p>"

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