Standard deviation measures how far numbers in a data set are spread out from an average value. In investing, it is used as a measurement of portfolio volatility.

The Motley Fool's real money portfolios include Pro, Supernova, and the Everlasting Portfolio. The total return is calculated using a time-weighted rate-of-return formula. The returns of the ...

Holding period return is one measure of investment success or failure and can help you determine the overall performance of your investment portfolio. It can also help guide future portfolio ...

Will Kenton is an expert on the economy and investing laws and regulations. He previously held senior editorial roles at Investopedia and Kapitall Wire and holds a MA in Economics from The New ...

Tack on things like fees and taxes, and even 7% is probably a relatively high long-term return assumption for a portfolio, especially based on market forecasts today. Had you been invested in a ...

Should it be 6%, 8%, 11%? 3. A rate of return can be backfitted into your portfolio by using the latest estimates of what different asset classes have returned over a period of time, as well as ...