When Considering the Historical Performance of a Mutual Fund, Should

question 59

Essay

When considering the historical performance of a mutual fund, should you calculate
the arithmetic average annual return of the fund or the geometric average annual
return? Why?

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Definitions:

Preferred Stock

Preferred stock is a type of equity that typically gives its holders preference over common stockholders in terms of dividends and claims on assets in the event of liquidation, but usually does not carry voting rights.

Rate of Return

The financial outcome, whether positive or negative, on an investment over a set duration, highlighted as a percentage of the investment's initial expenditure.

Dividend

Earnings handed out by a corporation to its investors, generally as a profit distribution.

Share

A unit of ownership interest in a corporation or financial asset, representing a portion of the equity and potentially entitling the shareholder to dividends and certain rights in the company’s decisions.