Is a 7% return realistic?

Asked by: Gay Pfannerstill  |  Last update: January 26, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (66 votes)

A good return on investment is generally considered to be around 7% per year, based on the average historic return of the S&P 500 index, adjusted for inflation. The average return of the U.S. stock market is around 10% per year, adjusted for inflation, dating back to the late 1920s.

How long does it take to double your money with a 7% return?

A quick and easier way to estimate the time it takes to double your money with compound interest is the Rule of 72. Simply divide 72 by your annual interest rate. In the case of a 7% yield, it would take approximately 10 years to double your money (72 / 8 = 10.3).

Is 7% good return?

Whenever the return on investment is positive and in the normal range of 5 to 7%, it is considered to be a good return. If the ROI exceeds 10%, it is considered a strong return.

Is 8% return on investment realistic?

Is a rate of return of 8% a good average annual return? The answer is yes if you're investing in government bonds, which shouldn't be as risky as investing in stocks.

What is a realistic rate of return?

As a result, keeping a realistic rate of return in mind can help you aim for a defined target. Many consider a conservative rate of return in retirement 10% or less because of historical returns.

Josh Brown's 'best stocks in the market'

43 related questions found

Is a 10% return possible?

With the right knowledge and strategies or the guidance of a skilled financial advisor, anyone can make strides to unlock their wealth potential and aim for a 10% return on investment. Various investment options might yield a 10%+ return.

Is 7 a good rate of return?

It comes down to the type of investments you make, your tolerance for risk, your goals, and much more. That being said, conventional financial wisdom says a good ROI is anything over 7%. As Forbes elaborates: "This is also about the average annual return of the S&P 500, accounting for inflation.

How much money do I need to invest to make $3,000 a month?

$3,000 X 12 months = $36,000 per year. $36,000 / 6% dividend yield = $600,000. On the other hand, if you're more risk-averse and prefer a portfolio yielding 2%, you'd need to invest $1.8 million to reach the $3,000 per month target: $3,000 X 12 months = $36,000 per year.

What is the 8% rule in investing?

There's no guarantee that any stock will keep rising after it breaks out of a proper base, no matter how strong its fundamentals or how solid its chart pattern. That's why the 8% sell rule helps keep losses small and preserve capital. The rule is applied when a stock falls 8% below your purchase price, no matter what.

How can I get 10% return on my money?

Here's my list of the 10 best investments for a 10% ROI.
  1. How to Get 10% Return on Investment: 10 Proven Ways.
  2. Invest in the Private Credit Market.
  3. Paying Down High-Interest Loans.
  4. Stock Market Investing via Index Funds.
  5. Stock Picking.
  6. Junk Bonds.
  7. Fine Art + Collectibles.
  8. Buy an Existing Business.

Is 7% return realistic?

A good return on investment is generally considered to be around 7% per year, based on the average historic return of the S&P 500 index, adjusted for inflation. The average return of the U.S. stock market is around 10% per year, adjusted for inflation, dating back to the late 1920s.

What is Warren Buffett's annual return?

Their partnership in managing Berkshire produced arguably the most remarkable extended performance for investors ever recorded. Since they began operating Berkshire in 1965, the stock has risen at an annualized pace of 19.8%. The S&P 500 has had an annualized return of 10.2% during the same timeframe.

What is the rule of 7% return?

To estimate the number of years it would take to double your money at a 7% annual rate of return, you can use the Rule of 72. Divide 72 by the annual rate of return: 72 ÷ 7 = 10.29. So, at a 7% return rate, it would take approximately 10.29 years to double your money.

How can I double $5000 dollars in a year?

10+ Ways to Double $5,000
  1. Start a Side Hustle. Perhaps the most common method of making more money is starting a side hustle. ...
  2. Invest in Stocks and Bonds. ...
  3. Day Trade. ...
  4. Save More Money. ...
  5. Buy and Resell Items on Amazon and eBay. ...
  6. Build an eCommerce Business. ...
  7. Sell Your Stuff. ...
  8. Earn cashback When You Shop.

What is the 72 rule of money?

It's an easy way to calculate just how long it's going to take for your money to double. Just take the number 72 and divide it by the interest rate you hope to earn. That number gives you the approximate number of years it will take for your investment to double.

What are the 4 golden rules investing?

By following these four golden rules—starting early, investing regularly, thinking long-term, and diversifying—you set yourself up for a successful investing journey. Remember, the goal isn't just to make money but to build wealth in a sustainable, low-stress way.

What is the O Neil rule?

According to IBD founder William O'Neil's rule in "How to Make Money in Stocks," you should sell a stock when you are down 7% or 8% from your purchase price, no exceptions. Having a rule in place ahead of time can help prevent an emotional decision to hang on too long.

What if 10000 is invested at 8 percent?

Hence the amount after 12 months becomes Rs. 10816. Now we know that compound interest can be calculated using the formula, Compound interest = compound amount - principal amount.

How much do you need to invest to be a millionaire in 5 years?

Let's say you want to become a millionaire in five years. If you're starting from scratch, online millionaire calculators (which return a variety of results given the same inputs) estimate that you'll need to save anywhere from $13,000 to $15,500 a month and invest it wisely enough to earn an average of 10% a year.

How to invest $100 000 to make $1 million?

4 Good Investment Choices for Turning $100k into $1 Million
  1. Real Estate. Real estate remains a solid option for those wondering how to invest 100k to make $1 million in 10 years or less. ...
  2. Stock Market. ...
  3. Index Funds or ETFs. ...
  4. Buying Established Businesses/Websites.

How much money do you have to make a month to make $100000 a year?

A $100,000 salary can yield a monthly income of $8,333.33, a biweekly paycheck of $3,846.15, a weekly income of $1,923.08, and a daily income of $384.62 based on 260 working days per year.

How to achieve 7% return?

Pay down any high-interest debt; if you have a student loan at 7%, paying it down is a 7% risk-free return (and once it is gone, the money that was going to the loan payments can be invested instead). But there is no safe way to earn 7% on investments.

Is a 6% return realistic?

Be wary of commentators or advisors who tell you you should be getting 10% or more each year on your portfolio, especially if you're closer to retirement. A 6% annual increase in your portfolio is a more realistic goal. Some years it will be much higher, other years it may be much lower (even negative).

Is 300k in 401k good?

$300,000 is likely too little to retire on at age 60. Using the 4% rule, which estimates how much you can safely withdraw per year from your savings in retirement, a $300,000 nest egg would give you $12,000 per year to live on.