Good Annual Return in Mutual Funds: A Long-Term Investor’s Guide

If you invest in mutual funds or are planning to, you’ve probably heard terms like “Annualised Return” or “CAGR” . But do you really know what they mean? And why are they so important? Let’s break it down in simple language—so that the next time you check a fund’s performance report, there’s no confusion. What is Annualised Return? Annualised Return means the average return an investment has earned each year over a period of time. Example: If you invest ₹10,000 in a fund, and after 3 years it becomes ₹13,000, your total return is 30%. But how much return did you earn each year on average? That’s what Annualised Return tells you. It helps you understand how fast your money has grown annually. CAGR vs Annualised Return – What’s the Difference? Many people think CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) and Annualised Return are the same – and honestly, they’re very similar. CAGR uses a formula to calculate how much your money has grown year by year , giving you...