2.4.4

Rate of Return

Test yourself

Average Rate of Return

Average rate of return (ARR) is a way of measuring how good an investment project is for a business.

Illustrative background for Average rate of return Illustrative background for Average rate of return  ?? "content

Average rate of return

  • It is calculated by working out the average profit the firm makes from the project per year as a percentage of the initial investment.
  • The higher the ARR is, the better a project is for a business. This is because they are making a higher proportion of their investment back each year.
Illustrative background for Average rate of returnIllustrative background for Average rate of return ?? "content

Average rate of return

  • If a firm invests £100,000 in new machinery which lowers its costs by £20,000 per year for 10 years.
  • Total net profit (for all 10 years) = 20,000 x 10 – 100,000 = £100,000.
  • Project length = 10 years.
  • Average profit made each year = 100,000/10 = 10,000.
  • Then simply divide this by initial investment to calculate it as a %.
  • ARR (%) = 10,000/100,000 x 100 = 10%.

Jump to other topics

1Enterprise & Entrepreneurship

1.1The Dynamic Nature of Businesses

1.2Spotting a Business Opportunity

1.3Putting a Business Idea into Practice

1.4Making the Business Effective

1.5Business Stakeholders

2Building a Business

2.1Growing the Business

2.2Making Marketing Decisions

2.3Making Operational Decisions

2.4Making Financial Decisions

2.5Making Human Resource Decisions

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson