reconciling different performance numbers

First, the numbers are calculated accurately. Therefore the error is in the data. The easiest way to track down the discrepancies is to start with a one year number. One year returns are incredibly easy to calculate (eg, you invested $1000, a year later you had $1100, therefore your return is 10%), and no annualizing is involved.

You say Yahoo shows a 21% trailing return for one year, and an 11% annualized return for one year. A one year return for any investment, whether it's annualized, trailing, total or whatever else they want to call it will always be the same. Therefore you must be comparing different funds or different time periods.

After you have the correct fund for the correct time period, any other difference in returns will be caused by cash flow. Published returns assume no cash flow for the period (ie, you bought at the beginning of the period, kept it for the entire period, and sold at the end). Life, of course, is seldom that simple. Any deposits or withdrawals that you made from a fund will render your actual return different from published returns.

Does this help?

I would just add one idea to Fred's reply: Make sure you are not trying to compare apples to oranges.

You must be certain that the performance values you are comparing are intended to be the same.

You will have to check with the non-Quicken sources for the meanings (formulas) behind their values.

But in Quicken, you should go to the Portfolio View (tab in later versions), click on "Glossary" and read the definition of every Quicken value that reports on performance. For starters: check every term that includes "return" in its name and note that there are very different formulas for calculating different named Quicken "return" values.

bottom posting - reading.... top to bottom ->

here's the Yahoo link that I use when Quicken pops up the webpage for say the T.Rowe New Horizons fund -

Arthur,

I'm sorry, I thought you were interested in answers to your questions. If all you want to do is rant, I'll get out of your way.

Reinvested dividends have no effect on rate of return.

Yes, a year has four quarters. It also has 12 months and 365 days, none of which is germane to an annual rate of return.

"Fred Smith" wrote

Are you going to finish weaving that basket today?

Huh?

Who said I have questions?

You blame the percent variances on data. Yes it obviously is (must be) but that does not mean data in error.

You obviously can not or do not want to expla>Arthur,

fred:

arthur, who calls himself "us," has a few emotional problems.

Trading stock did not make him as happy as he thought it would.

the sarp Post Count 2,345,888, 101

He doesn't have many compared to you who it seams has the market on insanity cornered.

Arthur,

I can explain investment returns. Google "A dissertation on Quicken's IRR" or follow this link:

's+irr&rnum=1&hl=en#135adb47e75b979d However, I'm not willing to invest time on people who aren't willing to listen. As I said in my first reply, your problem is you believe the calculations are wrong. My bet is the data is wrong. Once you accept that the calculations are done correctly, you'll find it a lot easier to track down the problem.

Alternatively, give us your data, and I'll show you how Quicken is calculating your IRR, and how it compares with publicly available numbers.