Is XIRR or IRR better?

Asked by: Juliana Hickle  |  Last update: August 7, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (55 votes)

XIRR (Extended Internal Rate of Return) is generally better and more accurate than IRR (Internal Rate of Return) for most real-world investments because it accounts for specific, irregular dates of cash flows. While IRR assumes regular, periodic intervals (e.g., yearly), XIRR allows for uneven timing, making it essential for portfolios with varied transaction dates.

Why use XIRR instead of IRR?

XIRR stands for Extended Internal Rate of Return. In contrast to IRR, the XIRR formula provides you with an extended rate of return that takes into account cash flows and discount rates, as well as the corresponding dates, providing you with a more accurate ROI percentage.

Is 20% XIRR good?

What does 20% XIRR mean? A 20% XIRR indicates that the investment has yielded an average annual return of 20%, taking into account the timing and size of each cash flow. This means that over the investment period, the investment has grown at an annualised rate of 20%.

How to convert XIRR to IRR?

This IRR can then be multiplied by the number of periods in a year to get the APR. Annual Percentage Rate is the standardized format most commonly used in the United States. APR = IRR * n, where n is the number of payments per year.

When should you not use IRR?

The IRR doesn't consider the project's actual dollar value or irregular cash flows. If there are any irregular or uncommon forms of cash flow, the rule shouldn't be applied. If it is, it may result in flawed findings.

CAGR vs XIRR (annualized return: simple explanation)

27 related questions found

Is XIRR accurate?

Extended Internal Rate of Return (XIRR) is the most accurate way to calculate returns in mutual funds when investments are made on different dates, like through SIPs. Steps to Calculate XIRR in SIP in Excel: 1.

What does a 12% IRR mean?

"12% IRR" means the Internal Rate of Return for an investment is 12%, indicating it's expected to yield an average annual return of 12%, making all future positive cash flows equal in present value to the initial investment, essentially representing the compound growth rate of the investment. It's a key metric for deciding if an investment is profitable, with a 12% IRR suggesting the project breaks even (Net Present Value is zero) at that rate, so it's attractive if your required return is below 12% and less so if it's higher.

What does a 22% IRR mean?

"22 IRR" means an investment is expected to yield an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 22%, representing the annualized rate of profit where the present value of future cash inflows equals the initial investment, making it a measure of profitability often compared to a company's cost of capital or hurdle rate. For many investors, especially in private equity or real estate, a 22% IRR is considered a strong return, signaling a potentially good investment opportunity.
 

How much is a $400,000 mortgage at 7% interest?

A $400,000 mortgage at 7% interest results in a principal & interest payment of about $2,661 per month for a 30-year loan or around $3,595 per month for a 15-year loan, not including taxes, insurance, or PMI. Your total monthly cost will be higher once those escrow items (property taxes, homeowners insurance, etc.) are added. 

Is 1% per month the same as 12% per year?

"12% interest" means that the interest rate is 12% per year, compounded annually. "12% interest compounded monthly" means that the interest rate is 12% per year (not 12% per month), compounded monthly. Thus the interest rate is 1% (12% / 12 ) per month.

What does 30% XIRR mean?

The meaning of XIRR in mutual fund investments refers to the 'Extended Internal Rate of Return,' - a financial metric that calculates the annualised return on investments involving multiple cash flows occurring at irregular intervals.

Why do managers prefer IRR?

One possible explanation for use of IRR by managers is that managers interpret IRR as something akin to a mortgage rate and this makes it easier for them to intuitively estimate the probabilities of financial embarrassment of not meeting the return expectations of security holders.

Why can IRR be misleading?

Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is widely used in venture capital to measure annualized profitability, but it has critical flaws that can mislead investors. Key limitations include sensitivity to cash flow timing, unrealistic reinvestment assumptions, and its inability to reflect absolute dollar returns.

Why does XIRR not work?

The problem? Excel's built-in XIRR function expects the first value in its range to be negative. So, if the first cell (or the first several cells) are zero, XIRR will always return 0.00%, even if cash flows materialize later.

What is Dave Ramsey's advice on mortgage rates?

"Mortgage rates are usually 1 to 3 percentage points higher.” Ultimately, Ramsey stuck to his evergreen advice: Hold off on buying if you still have debt, lack a fully funded emergency fund, or haven't saved for a down payment, or if a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage would eat up more than 25% of your take-home pay.

What is the average mortgage payment on a $750,000 house?

Here's what you can expect to pay for both 15- and 30-year mortgage loan payments on a $750,000 loan using today's mortgage rates: 30-year fixed mortgage at 6.15%: $3,655.37 per month. 15-year fixed mortgage at 5.65%: $4,950.39 per month.

What is a good XIRR rate?

For example, if inflation is at 2%, an XIRR of 7-9% might be considered satisfactory for a moderate-risk equity fund. However, expectations can vary based on the type of fund. A conservative debt fund might target an XIRR of 5-6%, while an aggressive small-cap fund could aim for 12-15%.

What is a respectable IRR?

Real estate investments often target an IRR in the range of 10% to 20%. However, these numbers can vary: Conservative Investments: For lower-risk, stable properties, a good IRR might be around 8% to 12%. Moderate Risk: Many investors aim for an IRR in the range of 15% to 20% for moderate-risk projects.

What does 18% XIRR mean?

XIRR is that single rate of return, which when applied to every installment (and redemptions if any) would give the current value of the total investment. XIRR is your personal rate of return. It is your actual return on investments.

Is 12% return on investment realistic?

A 12% return on investment (ROI) is ambitious but historically achievable in the stock market (like the S&P 500 over certain long periods) but is not a guaranteed or conservative expectation, especially considering inflation and volatility; many financial experts suggest a more realistic average return (often 5-8%) for diversified portfolios, making 12% an optimistic, long-term goal for aggressive equity investors rather than a standard benchmark for all investments, say financial experts.
 

What are the disadvantages of IRR?

The major weakness of IRR is that it does not consider the project's size. The evaluation is more likely to favor smaller projects with a higher IRR but smaller returns in terms of dollar value and leave out a worthier project. IRR also omits the duration and future costs of a project.