How Should YOU Measure Your Investment Performance?
Investors shouldn't be obsessed with their portfolio's performance, but an annual evaluation is key to keeping you on track.


I’ve spent over 25 years in the financial advisory profession but recently had a startling realization about investment performance. During a friendly debate with a friend who manages a small-cap mutual fund, I realized even seasoned investment professionals can have misperceptions about investment performance. My friend had a fixation on top quartile performance, a key measure of his professional ranking, but one with little application in the real world — where clients typically own mutual funds representing various asset classes.
Our debate got me to thinking: How should the average investor measure investment performance? I recommend investors focus on two components of performance:
How is my performance number calculated?

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
How is my account doing relative to a fair benchmark?
Your Performance Calculation
The performance calculation methodology involves two key variables: 1) the mathematical formula used to produce a return figure and 2) the portfolio(s) that are being measured. Most professional money managers use a Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS) compliant methodology to calculate investment performance. Brokers, Registered Investment Advisers and custodians often provide performance information to clients in their account statements. It is important to ask your provider if their performance report uses an approved GIPS methodology. Time-weighted returns are the most commonly used measure.
Interestingly, GIPS does not require investment performance to be reported net of fees. Consumers would be wise to ask their adviser for performance reports net of fees. After all, it’s not what you earn, it’s what you keep that is important.
Equally important is understanding whether the performance number is specific to your account, or merely a listing of the performance of each mutual fund. According to the GIPS guidance statement on fees, “The GIPS standards are based on the concept of presenting composite performance to prospective clients rather than presenting individual portfolio returns to existing clients (emphasis added).” Very simply, it is permissible for a broker or custodian to show a performance number on your statement for XYZ mutual fund that may or may not be your actual investment performance.
I’ve seen brokerage statements list a client’s various mutual fund’s performance, but not include the client’s overall account performance. Investors should ask their adviser for their specific account’s performance net of all fees. Most advisers have software that can calculate this.
Which Benchmark to Use
What about benchmarks? How can investors gauge their performance relative to other alternatives? This simple question raises many issues.
Should you benchmark your portfolio versus an index like the S&P 500? What’s a fair comparison for a portfolio invested 65% equity / 35% fixed? What about an all-equity portfolio comprised of large-cap, small-cap, international, REITs and emerging markets?
Morningstar provides a quarterly list of average returns by category, which is a reasonable basic benchmark to measure a specific fund. For accounts using a diversified, multiple asset class approach, Morningstar provides returns for different asset allocation funds, sorted by equity ranges. This is a helpful guide should your portfolio be comprised of large-cap, small-cap, international and emerging market funds.
The Bottom Line
While an obsession with performance can be counterproductive (often leading to chasing past winners and inferior performance), an annual review of portfolio performance is something all investors should undertake. Make sure you understand what is being measured and how it is being measured so you can track progress toward your goals.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Mike Palmer has over 25 years of experience helping successful people make smart decisions about money. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. Mr. Palmer is a member of several professional organizations, including the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) and past member of the TIAA-CREF Board of Advisors.
-
Stock Market Today: Dow Rises 854 Points From Its Intraday Low
If there's one thing markets hate, it's uncertainty. But uncertainty is all they're getting these days.
By David Dittman Published
-
Are You a Retirement Millionaire Too Scared To Spend?
If you are too scared to spend money in retirement, you may be saddled with regret. Here are three ways to safely enjoy your sizable retirement nest egg.
By Donna Fuscaldo Published
-
Seven Questions to Ask When Evaluating Personal Loan Options
Taking out a personal loan too hastily could lock you into unfavorable terms with an untrustworthy lender. Ask these questions before signing anything.
By David Kimball Published
-
The Three Biggest Fears Keeping Retirees Up at Night
Here are the steps you can take to put those fears to rest and retire with confidence so you can relax and enjoy the life you've planned.
By Pam Krueger Published
-
What Can a Donor-Advised Fund Do for You? (A Lot)
DAFs and private foundations go about helping charities (and those who donate) in different ways. Each comes with its own benefits and restrictions to navigate.
By Julia Chu Published
-
Estate Planning When You Have International Assets
Estate planning gets tricky when you have assets and/or beneficiaries outside the U.S. To avoid costly inheritance mistakes, it pays to understand the basics.
By Kelsey M. Simasko, Esq. Published
-
Three Essential Estate Planning Steps to Protect Your Nest Egg
After dedicating years to building your wealth and securing your future, make sure your assets are protected and your loved ones are provided for in the future.
By Nicole Farbo, CFP® Published
-
Is Chasing the American Dream Ruining Your Financial Life?
Too many people focus on visible affluence as a marker of success. Here's how to avoid succumbing to the pressure and driving yourself into debt.
By Anthony Martin Published
-
Retiring With a Pension? Four Things to Know
The road to a secure retirement is slightly more intricate for people with pensions. Here are four key issues to consider to make the most out of yours.
By Joe F. Schmitz Jr., CFP®, ChFC® Published
-
How to Teach Your Kids About the Tax Facts of Life
Taxes are unavoidable, so it's important to teach children what to expect. Also, does your child need to file a tax return for 2024? Find out here.
By Neale Godfrey, Financial Literacy Expert Published