Investment Analysis
Mutual Fund Returns Calculator
Calculate the total return and growth of your mutual fund investment over any time period.
S&P 500 historical avg ~10%
Index funds: ~0.03–0.20%
Results
Fill in the fields and click Calculate.
For educational purposes only. Past returns do not guarantee future results. All investments carry risk of loss. Consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.
What is a good annual return for mutual funds? +
Actively managed large-cap funds have averaged 8–10% annually (before fees) over the long term. Index funds tracking the S&P 500 have averaged ~10% nominal. After inflation (~3%), real returns are closer to 7%. The expense ratio significantly impacts long-term returns — a 1% difference over 30 years can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
How does the expense ratio affect returns? +
The expense ratio is the annual fee charged as a % of assets. A fund with a 1% expense ratio on a $100,000 portfolio costs $1,000/year — but the compounding drag is far more significant. Over 30 years, a 1% ratio vs 0.05% could reduce your final balance by 20–25%. Always compare net-of-fee returns when evaluating funds.