The formula for the annual return calculation, is :
RA= (1+Q1R) x (1+Q2R) x (1+Q3R) x (1+Q4R) - 1
Where
RA = Annual Return
Q1R = Return for Q1
Q2R = Return for Q2
Q3R = Return for Q3
Q4R = Return for Q4
The same formula applies for calculating the return for any aggregage time period from returns of subperiods. For example, the formula for the estimation of the compounded annual return from monthly returns is:
[(1+ M1R) x (1+ M2R) x .... x (1+ M12R)] - 1
where:
M1R = Monthly return for first month
M2R = Monthly return for second month
M12R = Monthly return for twelfth month
Annual Return Calculation Example
In order to demonstrate the application of the formula for the calculation of the annual return consider a property investment with the following estimated quarterly rates of return:
Q1R =2%
Q2R = 2.5%
Q3R = 1.5%
Q4R = 3%
Then the compounded annual return can be calculated as:
RA = (1.02 x 1.025 x 1.015 x 1.03) – 1 = 9.3%