NASAA Series 65, Uniform Investment Adviser Law ExaminationClient Investment Recommendations and StrategiesMedium
An investment adviser is evaluating a client's portfolio performance. The portfolio had an initial value of $100,000. After six months, it grew to $110,000. The client then added $20,000, bringing the value to $130,000. Over the next six months, the portfolio grew to $143,000. What is the time-weighted return (TWR) for the year?
- A21.00%
- B10.00%
- C23.00%
- D13.00%
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 21.00%
The time-weighted return (TWR) for the year is calculated by compounding the returns of each sub-period. The first period return is ($110,000 - $100,000) / $100,000 = 10%. The second period return is ($143,000 - $130,000) / $130,000 = 10%. Compounding these returns: (1 + 0.10) * (1 + 0.10) - 1 = 1.21 - 1 = 0.21 or 21.00%.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. This is the return of the first period only, not the full year.
- C. This might represent a money-weighted return (IRR) or an incorrect calculation.
- D. This is the return of the second period only, or a simple average without compounding.
Time-Weighted Return (TWR)
A measure of investment performance that eliminates the distorting effects of cash inflows and outflows, reflecting the compound rate of growth of a portfolio over a specified evaluation period.
- Removes impact of client deposits/withdrawals.
- Calculated by geometrically linking sub-period returns.
- Standard for comparing performance of investment managers.
Memory trick: Time-weighted return: It's like a stopwatch for manager skill, ignoring cash flow distractions.