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How Total Return Shows Actual Mutual Fund Performance
Total return in mutual funds is the total earnings that an investor gains through an investment in both capital growth and income. It offers an accurate outlook of afund's performance over a long-term period. This blog provides a description of the main concepts regarding total return in mutual funds. It assists investors in interpreting performance data correctly.
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- How Total Return Shows Actual Mutual Fund Performance
What is Total Return in Mutual Funds
Total return is the percentage change in the value of a mutual fund investment over a specific period, including income such as dividends, interest, and capital gains. It represents the total earnings generated by a fund over an investment period, which may extend over one year or more. Total return consists of two primary sources, capital appreciation and income in the form of dividends or interest. Understanding total return enables investors to estimate profits and review their investment performance over time.
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| Returns | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fund Name | 5 Years | 7 Years | 10 Years | |
| Equity Fund SBI Life | 8.75% | 9.92% |
11.02%
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|
|
| Opportunities Fund HDFC Life | 12.52% | 13.5% |
13.81%
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|
|
| High Growth Fund Axis Max Life | 18.11% | 19.74% |
17.84%
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|
|
| Opportunities Fund ICICI Prudential Life | 11.51% | 11.8% |
12.11%
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|
|
| Multi Cap Fund Tata AIA Life | 21% | 19.25% |
22%
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|
|
| Accelerator Mid-Cap Fund II Bajaj Life | 12.44% | 11.92% |
13.49%
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|
|
| Multiplier Birla Sun Life | 14.57% | 13.67% |
15%
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|
|
| Virtue II PNB MetLife | 12.74% | 15.04% |
14.46%
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|
|
| Growth Plus Fund Canara HSBC Life | 8.9% | 9.11% |
10.26%
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|
|
| Blue-Chip Equity Fund Star Union Dai-ichi Life | 7.66% | 8.51% |
9.89%
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|
|
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Last updated: Mar 2026
Compare more funds
| Fund Name | AUM | Return 3 Years | Return 5 Years | Return 10 Years | Minimum Investment | Return Since Launch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motilal Oswal BSE Enhanced Value Index Fund Regular - Growth | ₹1,748.84 Crs | 29.74% | N/A | N/A | ₹500 | 29.63% |
| Bandhan Small Cap Fund Regular-Growth | ₹20,474.12 Crs | 27.65% | 20.77% | N/A | ₹1,000 | 26.59% |
| Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund Regular-Growth | ₹33,689.20 Crs | 18.96% | 20.42% | 15.88% | ₹500 | 19.13% |
| ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Fund-Growth | ₹8,097.89 Crs | 21.51% | 23.93% | 17.68% | ₹5,000 | 15.11% |
| Canara Robeco Large Cap Fund Regular-Growth | ₹17,103.62 Crs | 11.65% | 9.73% | 13.1% | ₹100 | 11.73% |
| Mirae Asset Large Cap Fund Direct- Growth | ₹40,184.41 Crs | 11% | 10.14% | 13.7% | ₹5,000 | 14.68% |
| Kotak Midcap Fund Regular-Growth | ₹61,694.40 Crs | 18.6% | 16.45% | 17.28% | ₹100 | 14.16% |
| SBI Small Cap Fund-Growth | ₹34,931.73 Crs | 11.56% | 13.34% | 16.95% | ₹5,000 | 17.8% |
| SBI Gold ETF | ₹24,897.99 Crs | 33.01% | 25.38% | 16.25% | ₹5,000 | 13.42% |
Updated as of Mar 2026
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Calculation of Total Return
Total return helps calculate the overall gain or loss on your mutual fund investment in a specific period. The formula measures return over a specific period, as the calculation reflects the selected investment period.
When dividends and distributions are not reinvested, total return can be calculated as:
Total Return (%) = [(Current Investment Value - Cost Basis + Distributions) ÷ Cost Basis] x 100
When dividends are reinvested (which is common in mutual funds), total return is calculated as:
Total Return (%) = [(Final Investment Value - Initial Investment) ÷ Initial Investment] x 100
Where:
- Cost Basis is the initial amount you invested.
- Current Investment Value is the present value of your investment.
- Distributions include dividends, interest, and capital gains paid by the fund, either as cash payouts or through reinvestment.
Key Takeaways
Total return indicates the net change in value of a mutual fund investment over any period of time. It starts with the cost basis, which is the initial investment. The NAV of the fund increases result in capital appreciation, and the opposite applies. This is then followed by the incorporation of income, like dividends or interest. The combination of these factors demonstrates the real performance of the investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Does Total Return Include Dividends in Mutual Funds?
Yes, total return consists of dividends and the interest gained on a mutual fund. These gains are included either as cash payouts or through reinvestment, which increases the number of units and reflects in the fund's value. -
Is Total Return the Same as Annual Return?
No, total return reflects the total profit over a period of time, whereas annual return reflects average annual performance. Both are useful, but total return gives a clearer view of actual earnings. -
Why Should Investors Check Total Return Before Investing?
To know the performance of a fund, investors need to check the total return before investing. It assists in the comparison of various funds and the selection of the appropriate one according to the goals and risk level.
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++Source - Google Review Rating available on:- http://bit.ly/3J20bXZ
˜The insurers/plans mentioned are arranged in order of highest to lowest first year premium (sum of individual single premium and individual non-single premium) offered by Policybazaar’s insurer partners offering life insurance investment plans on our platform, as per ‘first year premium of life insurers as at 31.03.2025 report’ published by IRDAI. Policybazaar does not endorse, rate or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by any insurer. For complete list of insurers in India refer to the IRDAI website www.irdai.gov.in
^^The information relating to mutual funds presented in this article is for educational purpose only and is not meant for sale. Investment is subject to market risks and the risk is borne by the investor. Please consult your financial advisor before planning your investments.