Time-weighted return

Definition

Time-weighted return is a measure of an investment's compound growth rate over a specific period, adjusting for the timing of cash flows. It isolates the investment's performance from the effects of external cash flows, providing a clear picture of the manager's ability to generate returns over time. This concept is vital for accurately assessing performance, particularly when comparing investment strategies or managers.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Time-weighted return eliminates the impact of cash inflows and outflows, allowing for a fair comparison between different investments or funds.
2. It is particularly useful in performance evaluation when clients make deposits or withdrawals during the investment period.
3. This metric is calculated by linking sub-period returns, providing a compounded return that reflects performance over time.
4. Time-weighted return is often favored by institutional investors because it focuses purely on the investment performance rather than cash flow timing.
5. Unlike money-weighted return, time-weighted return does not reflect an investor's actual experience but rather the performance of the investment itself.

Review Questions

• How does time-weighted return differ from other return measures in isolating investment performance?
  • Time-weighted return differs from other measures by focusing solely on the performance of an investment over time, independent of cash flows into or out of the investment. This makes it especially useful for evaluating fund managers and strategies, as it allows for an apples-to-apples comparison regardless of investor behavior. In contrast, other metrics like money-weighted return can be influenced significantly by when cash flows occur.
• Discuss why time-weighted return is particularly significant in the context of comparing different fund managers or strategies.
  • Time-weighted return is crucial for comparing fund managers or strategies because it standardizes performance by removing the effects of varying cash flow timings. This allows investors to assess how well each manager performs relative to their peers without being skewed by the timing and amounts of contributions or withdrawals. By focusing on pure investment performance, it provides a more accurate picture of managerial skill and strategy effectiveness.
• Evaluate how understanding time-weighted return can impact an investor's decision-making process regarding portfolio management.
  • Understanding time-weighted return can significantly influence an investor's decision-making process by clarifying which investments are genuinely performing well versus those that are benefiting from favorable cash flow timings. By relying on this measure, investors can make more informed decisions about which funds or managers to invest in based on consistent performance metrics. This analytical approach enhances portfolio management strategies by ensuring that selections are based on true investment capability rather than misleading returns influenced by external factors.

Related terms

Internal Rate of Return (IRR): The IRR is the discount rate that makes the net present value of all cash flows from an investment equal to zero, effectively representing the annualized rate of return on an investment.

Multiple on Invested Capital (MOIC): MOIC measures the total value returned to investors relative to the amount of capital invested, calculated as the total distributions divided by the total invested capital.

cash flow: Cash flow refers to the total amount of money being transferred in and out of a business or investment over a specific period, impacting its liquidity and financial health.