What is XIRR and Its Meaning in Funds?

The meaning of XIRR is Extended Internal Rate of Return, which is a financial indicator used to evaluate the performance of your market-linked investments. It estimates the annual rate of return for both periodic and irregular investments with multiple cash flows. XIRR is a more accurate metric as it takes into account the precise timing and volume of cash flows.

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Returns
Fund Name 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
Top 200 Fund Tata AIA 24.74% 31.65%
20.12%
View Plan
Virtue II PNB Metlife 22.28% 27.93%
18.14%
View Plan
Pure Equity Birla Sun Life 20.86% 24.74%
16.69%
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Growth Opportunities Plus Fund Bharti AXA 17.96% 22.2%
16.15%
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Pure Stock Fund Bajaj Allianz 19.31% 22.69%
15.67%
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Diversified Equity Fund HDFC Standard 15.67% 20.12%
15.12%
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Growth Super Fund Max Life 15.78% 19.21%
13.57%
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Equity Fund SBI 15.88% 18.78%
13.1%
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Multi Cap Growth Fund ICICI Prudential 16.58% 19.08%
12.87%
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Growth Plus Fund Canara HSBC Oriental Bank 13.79% 15.67%
11.3%
View Plan

Updated as of Aug 2024

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  Returns
Fund Name 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
Active Fund QUANT 24.92% 31.48%
21.87%
Flexi Cap Fund PARAG PARIKH 20.69% 26.41%
19.28%
Large and Mid-Cap Fund EDELWEISS 22.34% 24.29%
17.94%
Equity Opportunities Fund KOTAK 24.64% 25.01%
19.45%
Large and Midcap Fund MIRAE ASSET 19.74% 24.32%
22.50%
Flexi Cap Fund PGIM INDIA 14.75% 23.39%
-
Flexi Cap Fund DSP 18.41% 22.33%
16.91%
Emerging Equities Fund CANARA ROBECO 20.05% 21.80%
15.92%
Focused fund SUNDARAM 18.27% 18.22%
16.55%

Updated as of Aug 2024

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What is XIRR?

The XIRR full form is an Extended Internal Rate of Return. It is a method to calculate the returns on investments in which multiple transactions are taking place at different times. XIRR is different from Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR), which is only applicable to investments with a single cash flow. XIRR is commonly used to calculate the returns on your market-linked funds like-

  • XIRR in Mutual Funds, 

  • XIRR in Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP), and

  • XIRR in NPS (National Pension Scheme)

You can use an SIP Calculator to plan your investments in market-linked funds.

What are Multiple Cash- Flows in XIRR?

The XIRR rate of return is calculated by considering the irregular cash flows made at different intervals. These transactions cover the following investments: 

  • Investments through a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP), 

  • Withdrawals made through Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWP), 

  • Additional purchases of units

  • Returns deposited in your fund,

  • Redemption of your fund 

NOTE: Policybazaar has an online SIP calculator to get the estimated returns on SIP investment. 

IRR vs. XIRR

The Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Extended Internal Rate of Return (XIRR) are both used to calculate the performance of your investments, but they differ by the cash flows they handle:

  • Internal Rate of Return (IRR): It takes into account all the transactions, but assumes they occur at equal intervals of time. IRR is suitable for investments with consistent cash flows. It is not precise for investments with uneven cash flows.

  • Extended Internal Rate of Return (XIRR): It considers both the amount and timing of cash flows, along with the exact date of their occurrence. XIRR is more accurate for investments with irregular cash flows. 

Feature IRR (Internal Rate of Return) XIRR (Extended Internal Rate of Return)
Definition Rate of return on an investment where Net Present Value (NPV) is zero Rate of return on investments with irregular cash flows
Cash Flow Timing Assumes regular, periodic cash flows (e.g., annually) Accounts for cash flows occurring at irregular intervals
Use Case Best for investments with regular cash flow intervals Ideal for investments with varying cash flow dates
Calculation Method Uses a fixed interval for calculations Uses exact dates for each cash flow
Accuracy Less accurate with irregular cash flows More accurate with irregular cash flows
Example Regular Cash Flows:
  • Initial Investment: -₹10,000
  • Year 1: +₹3,000
  • Year 2: +₹3,000
  • Year 3: +₹3,000
  • Year 4: +₹3,000
  • Year 5: +₹3,000
Irregular Cash Flows:
  • Initial Investment: -₹10,000 (on 01-Jan-2020)
  • Year 1: +₹2,000 (on 15-Feb-2021)
  • Year 2: +₹5,000 (on 10-July-2022)
  • Year 3: +₹4,000 (on 22-Nov-2023)
  • Year 4: +₹7,000 (on 05-May-2024)

Why to Calculate XIRR in a Mutual Fund/ ULIP Fund?

It is essential to calculate XIRR in a mutual fund and ULIP fund for several reasons, some of which are as follows:

  • To get a more accurate measure of your returns for investments with irregular cash flows, as you invest and withdraw multiple times in mutual funds and ULIPs.

  • XIRR is a versatile tool that can be applied to any of the best investment plans, considering various cash flow patterns.

  • To track the performance of your investments over time and make better financial decisions. 

How to Calculate XIRR?

You can use an Excel spreadsheet to calculate the XIRR return, which can handle data with multiple cash flows happening at irregular intervals. These cash flows can be gains/ returns/ redemption (positive numbers) or SIP/ deposits (negative numbers).

XIRR Formula in Excel:

XIRR in Excel = XIRR (cash flows, dates)

 Where:

  • Cash Flows: The range of cells that contain the cash flows

  • Dates: The range of cells that contain the dates of the cash flows

Steps to Calculate XIRR in Excel:

  • Step 1: List all your cash flows in one column as per below-

    • Inflows as positive (+)

    • Outflows as negative (-)

  • Step 2: Write the dates in a column for each of the respective cash flows.

  • Step 3: Click on a cell where you want the XIRR result to appear.

  • Step 4: Enter the formula: =XIRR(cashflow_range, dates_range)

  • Step 5: Press Enter. 

The Excel software will show the XIRR rate of return for the given cash flows as a percentage.

Illustration to Calculate XIRR in Excel:

Enter the cash flows in the Excel sheet as mentioned in the above steps. Here is an example:

A B
Date SIP Amount
01/02/2023 -20000
02/02/2023 -500
03/10/2023 -300
04/02/2023 10000
05/17/2023 27000
06/05/2023 105
07/08/2023 -500
08/01/2023 10000
09/10/2023 4500
10/14/2023 -1000
XIRR = 8.826828074

The XIRR is 8.82% p.a. which represents the internal rate of return for your cash flows, expressed as a yearly percentage.

XIRR Vs CAGR

CAGR, like XIRR, is a key metric that can be used to estimate the rate of return for your market-linked investments easily. A quick definition of both is as follows-

  • XIRR (Extended Internal Rate of Return): It calculates the annualized return on investments with irregular cash flows on different dates. 

  • CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate): It measures the mean annual growth rate of your investment over a specific period. 

The key differences between XIRR and CAGR are mentioned in the table below:

Feature XIRR CAGR
Full form Extended Internal Rate of Return Compound Annual Growth Rate
Definition Rate of return on investments with irregular cash flows. Annual growth rate of an investment over a specified period.
Cash Flow Timing Consider cash flows occurring at irregular intervals. Assumes a single investment with no intermediate cash flows.
Calculation It considers the exact timing and amount of cash flows, making it suitable for irregular investments and withdrawals. It assumes a constant rate of growth over a specified period, regardless of cash flow timing.
Applicability Applicable on investments with multiple cash flows. Applicable on investments with a single cash flow.
Accuracy Assumes a single investment with no intermediate cash flows. Accurate for measuring consistent annual growth.
Example Irregular Cash Flows:
  • Initial Investment: -₹10,000 (on 01-Jan-2020)
  • Year 1: +₹2,000 (on 15-Feb-2021)
  • Year 2: +₹5,000 (on 10-Jul-2022)
  • Year 3: +₹4,000 (on 22-Nov-2023)
  • Year 4: +₹7,000 (on 05-May-2024)
Single Investment Growth:
  • Initial Investment: ₹10,000
  • Value after 5 years: ₹16,000

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is a good XIRR rate?

    The definition of a good XIRR rate depends on a number of factors, including the asset class, the investment horizon, and your risk tolerance. However, as a general rule of thumb, an XIRR of 11-12% is considered good for equity funds, and 7-8% is considered good for debt funds.
  • Is XIRR better than CAGR?

    XIRR is considered to be a better measure of investment returns than CAGR, especially for investments with irregular cash flows, such as SIPs. However, CAGR is easier to calculate and understand, so it is often used as a more general measure of investment performance.
  • What is the formula for XIRR?

    The XIRR formula is: XIRR(values, dates, [guess])

    where:

    • Values: An array of cash flows, where a negative value represents an outflow and a positive value represents an inflow.

    • Dates: An array of dates corresponding to the cash flows.

    • Guess: An optional argument that provides an initial guess for the XIRR. If omitted, Excel will use a default value of 10%.

  • What is the major difference between IRR and XIRR?

    The major difference between IRR and XIRR is that IRR assumes that all cash flows in your investment fund occur at the end of the period, while XIRR takes into account the actual timing of the cash flows. This makes XIRR a more accurate measure of the true returns of an investment, especially for investments with irregular cash flows.
  • What is XIRR?

    XIRR means Extended Internal Rate of Return for irregular cash flows. It is a financial metric used to calculate the return on an investment when cash flows occur at uneven intervals.
  • How is XIRR different from IRR?

    IRR and XIRR both help you to assess the performance of your investments. However, the IRR function assumes cash flows happen at regular periods, while, XIRR considers uneven cash flows at different time intervals. This makes the XIRR more versatile for real-world scenarios.
  • What are the benefits of using XIRR?

    The benefits of XIRR are that it provides a more accurate picture of investment performance when cash flows are irregular and helps compare investments with different cash flow patterns.
  • What are the disadvantages of XIRR?

    The main disadvantage of XIRR is that it assumes all cash flows are reinvested at the Internal Rate of Return (IRR), which might not always be true. It may not provide you a solution if cash flows have a specific pattern.

+For Mutual Fund midcap category Returns https://www.morningstar.in/tools/mutual-fund-category-performance.aspx & for Insurance midcap fund category Returns- https://www.morningstar.in/tools/insurance-fund-category-performance.aspx
*Past 10 Year annualised returns as on 01-12-2023
*All savings are provided by the insurer as per the IRDAI approved insurance plan. Standard T&C Apply
^The tax benefits under Section 80C allow a deduction of up to ₹1.5 lakhs from the taxable income per year and 10(10D) tax benefits are for investments made up to ₹2.5 Lakhs/ year for policies bought after 1 Feb 2021. Tax benefits and savings are subject to changes in tax laws.
~Source - Google Review Rating available on:- http://bit.ly/3J20bXZ
^^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.

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