What does CAGR mean in the stock market?

Asked by: Clarissa Ondricka  |  Last update: July 31, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (7 votes)

The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is the mean annual growth rate of an investment over a period longer than one year. It's one of the most accurate ways to calculate and determine returns for individual assets, investment portfolios, and anything that can rise or fall in value over time.

What is a good CAGR for a stock?

A CAGR in sales of 5-12 per cent is suitable for large-cap companies. Similarly, for small businesses, a CAGR of 15% to 30% is satisfactory. Furthermore, a company's CAGR must be consistent over time. As a result, a promising CAGR does not always imply the highest CAGR; it can also mean stable and constant growth.

What does a CAGR tell you?

CAGR stands for the Compound Annual Growth Rate. It is the measure of an investment's annual growth rate over time, with the effect of compounding taken into account. It is often used to measure and compare the past performance of investments or to project their expected future returns.

What does a 20% CAGR mean?

Compound Annual Growth Rate or CAGR refers to the annual growth of an investment over a specific duration. The value of the investment is assumed to be compounded over the period. Unlike the absolute return, CAGR takes the time value of money into the account.

What does a CAGR of 10% mean?

What does 10% CAGR mean? CAGR tells you the average rate at which an investment has grown over a specified period. 10% CAGR means the 10% interest you earn every year is first added to your principal investment. And then, on the total amount, you again get 10%return.

CAGR explained

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Is it better to have a high or low CAGR?

A high CAGR with a low standard deviation suggests consistent growth with less risk. Look Beyond the Average: CAGR is an average, so the actual returns might have fluctuated significantly in some years. Consider the historical performance data to understand the investment's volatility.

What CAGR is doubling in 5 years?

If your business is growing at a rate of 15% per year it will double in size in 5 years (4.8 to be exact). At 30% growth, your company will double in size in 2.4 years. At 5% growth, you've got a 14.4-year journey ahead of you.

What is better than CAGR?

For irregular investments with detailed cash flow data, XIRR is often more useful and accurate than CAGR since it accounts for the timing and size of all cash inflows and outflows. However, for regular investments focused on long-term growth, CAGR may be sufficient and easier to calculate.

What is the difference between growth rate and CAGR?

The main difference between the CAGR and a growth rate is that the CAGR assumes the growth rate was repeated, or “compounded,” each year, whereas a traditional growth rate does not. Many investors prefer the CAGR because it smooths out the volatile nature of year-by-year growth rates.

Which industry has the highest CAGR?

Global Fastest Growing Industries in 2025
  • Global Tourism. ...
  • Global Airlines. ...
  • Global Semiconductor & Electronic Parts Manufacturing. ...
  • Global Marine & Container Terminal Operation. ...
  • Global Respiratory Ventilator Manufacturing. ...
  • Global HR & Recruitment Services. ...
  • Global Biotechnology. ...
  • Global Hotels & Resorts.

Is CAGR a good indicator?

However, CAGR is a good indicator of overall scheme performance. You can compare CAGRs of different mutual fund schemes and make informed investment decisions. You should consult with your financial advisor if required.

What is the difference between annual return and CAGR?

Although conceptually the same, CAGR and annualised returns differs as CAGR is showcased using the initial and ending investing values. On the other hand, annualised return is calculated by using the returns from multiple years.

Which investor has the highest CAGR?

At 62% CAGR over 37 Years, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala Is One of the Most Successful Investors in the World Ever! Rakesh Jhunjhunwala is known to have started his investing journey in 1985 with Rs5,000.

What is a good growth rate for a stock?

The average stock market return is about 10% per year, as measured by the S&P 500 index, but that 10% average rate is reduced by inflation. Investors can expect to lose purchasing power of 2% to 3% every year due to inflation. » Learn about purchasing power with the inflation calculator.

What is CAGR in simple terms?

Compound Annual Growth Rate or CAGR is the annual growth of your investments over a specific period of time. In other words, it is a measure of how much you have earned on your investments every year during a given interval.

When should you not use CAGR?

CAGR limitations to keep in mind
  1. It doesn't account for investment volatility. ...
  2. It doesn't account for added funds in an investment portfolio. ...
  3. It can only be used to compare identical time periods. ...
  4. It is less reliable for shorter investment periods.

How to use CAGR to forecast?

The formula to calculate CAGR divides the future value (FV) by the present value (PV), raises the figure to one divided by the number of compounding periods, and subtracts by one.

How long will it take money to double if it is invested at 5%?

and we are asked to find the time that it would take for money to double if it is invested at this rate if it is compounded annually, that is A = 2 P . Since this is compound interest, we will be using the formula below. Thus, it will take 14.21 years for the money to double.

What is the CAGR rule?

Calculate the total number of years or periods over which the growth occurred. Use the formula: CAGR = (Ending Value / Starting Value) ^(1 / Number of Years) – 1. Multiply the result by 100 to express the CAGR as a percentage.

At what rate of return you can double your money in 5 years?

Alternatively you can calculate what interest rate you need to double your investment within a certain time period. For example if you wanted to double an investment in 5 years, divide 72 by 5 to learn that you'll need to earn 14.4% interest annually on your investment for 5 years: 14.4 × 5 = 72.

What is Warren Buffett's CAGR?

The company is often compared to an investment fund; between 1965, when Buffett gained control of the company, and 2023, the company's shareholder returns amounted to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.8% compared to a 10.2% CAGR for the S&P 500.