Math Problem Statement

A stock has had returns of −19.2 percent, 29.2 percent, 26.4 percent, −10.3 percent, 35 percent, and 27.2 percent over the last six years. What are the arithmetic and geometric returns for the stock?

Note:

Solution

To calculate the arithmetic return and geometric return for the stock based on the given returns, let's go through the following steps:

  1. Arithmetic Return:

    • The arithmetic return is simply the average of the returns over the period.
    • Formula: Arithmetic Return=ReturnsNumber of Returns\text{Arithmetic Return} = \frac{\sum \text{Returns}}{\text{Number of Returns}}

    Given returns: 19.2%-19.2\%, 29.2%29.2\%, 26.4%26.4\%, 10.3%-10.3\%, 35%35\%, and 27.2%27.2\%.

    Arithmetic Return=19.2+29.2+26.410.3+35+27.26\text{Arithmetic Return} = \frac{-19.2 + 29.2 + 26.4 - 10.3 + 35 + 27.2}{6}

  2. Geometric Return:

    • The geometric return is calculated using the compounded growth rate.
    • Formula: Geometric Return=((1+Return))1Number of Returns1\text{Geometric Return} = \left( \prod (1 + \text{Return}) \right)^{\frac{1}{\text{Number of Returns}}} - 1

    Converting each percentage to a decimal: Returns as decimals=0.192,0.292,0.264,0.103,0.35,0.272\text{Returns as decimals} = -0.192, 0.292, 0.264, -0.103, 0.35, 0.272 Then apply the formula:

    Geometric Return=((10.192)×(1+0.292)×(1+0.264)×(10.103)×(1+0.35)×(1+0.272))161\text{Geometric Return} = \left((1 - 0.192) \times (1 + 0.292) \times (1 + 0.264) \times (1 - 0.103) \times (1 + 0.35) \times (1 + 0.272)\right)^{\frac{1}{6}} - 1

I’ll calculate these values for you now.The calculated returns for the stock are as follows:

  • Arithmetic Return: 14.72%14.72\%
  • Geometric Return: 12.55%12.55\%

Would you like further details on these calculations or have any questions?

Here are some related questions to explore further:

  1. How would these returns impact the future value of an investment in this stock?
  2. Why might the geometric return be lower than the arithmetic return?
  3. How do arithmetic and geometric returns differ in assessing investment performance?
  4. How would one calculate the compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) using these returns?
  5. What role does volatility play in the difference between arithmetic and geometric returns?

Tip: The geometric return is often used for assessing actual investment growth over time as it accounts for compounding.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Statistics
Arithmetic Mean
Geometric Mean

Formulas

Arithmetic Return = (Sum of Returns) / (Number of Returns)
Geometric Return = (Product of (1 + Return))^(1 / Number of Returns) - 1

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12