The only accurate way to measure returns on SIPs, partial withdrawals, and irregular investments
Most investors look at their mutual fund app and see "returns: 15%." But is that actually their return? Not necessarily. That number is usually point-to-point CAGR — calculated as if you invested all your money on day one.
The reality with SIPs: You invest a fixed amount every month. Each instalment has a different entry date, and therefore a different number of days in the market. The last few SIP payments have barely had time to grow. Simple CAGR ignores all of this.
XIRR — Extended Internal Rate of Return — is the mathematical answer to this problem. It finds the single annual rate that, when applied to each cash flow on its actual date, makes the net present value equal to zero. In plain English: it's your personalised annualised return, accounting for exactly when each rupee entered or left your portfolio.
The rule of thumb: Investments are negative cash flows (money leaving your pocket). Redemptions and your current portfolio value are positive cash flows (money coming back to you). XIRR solves for the rate that balances them all.
| Scenario | Use |
|---|---|
| Lumpsum — single buy, single sell | CAGR |
| SIP — regular monthly investments | XIRR |
| SIP + partial withdrawals | XIRR |
| Multiple buys at different prices | XIRR |
| Mutual fund portfolio overall return | XIRR |
Choose SIP Mode for regular monthly investments, or Manual Mode for custom cash flows
| Date | Amount (₹) | Type |
|---|
Select Investment for money you put in (SIP debits, lumpsum buys). Select Redemption for money you received (partial withdrawals, full redemptions). Select Current Value for what your portfolio is worth today — enter today's date and total portfolio value as a positive amount. You need at least one Investment and one Current Value / Redemption row.
Benchmark: Nifty 50 index fund SIP XIRR ~ 11–13% (10-year historical)
Significantly outperforming the index. Usually seen in mid/small-cap heavy portfolios in bull markets. Ensure the fund's risk level matches your profile.
Beating the Nifty 50 benchmark consistently. This is excellent long-term wealth creation for an equity SIP.
Reasonable performance — beating fixed deposits (6–7%) and inflation (5–6%). Review your fund against its category peers for further improvement.
Underperforming equity benchmarks. Consider whether your fund selection, investment horizon, or asset allocation needs a review.
Your portfolio is currently in the red. If you have been investing for less than 2–3 years or started near a market peak, this is not unusual — equity takes time. Review after 5+ years before making changes.
| Metric | Best For | Handles Multiple Flows? | Time-Weighted? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absolute Return | Quick sense check | No | No |
| CAGR | Lumpsum investments | No | Yes (simple) |
| XIRR | SIPs, irregular cash flows | Yes | Yes (precise) |
Mutual fund apps often show "returns" as CAGR of the NAV — not your personal XIRR. If you have been doing a SIP, the app's displayed CAGR can be significantly higher than your actual XIRR, because your early instalments are over-weighted in the CAGR calculation. Always use XIRR for your personal return.