Investment Formula:
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The investment formula calculates the future value of an investment with regular contributions, taking into account compound interest. It helps investors project their wealth accumulation over time with both initial principal and ongoing contributions.
The calculator uses the investment formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates compound interest on the principal plus the future value of a series of regular contributions, both growing at the specified interest rate.
Details: Accurate investment projection is crucial for financial planning, retirement savings goals, and understanding how regular contributions and compound interest can significantly grow wealth over time.
Tips: Enter principal amount in dollars, annual interest rate as a decimal (e.g., 0.05 for 5%), compounding frequency (typically 365 for daily), time in years, and daily contribution amount. All values must be valid non-negative numbers.
Q1: What's the difference between this and simple compound interest?
A: This formula includes both the compound growth of the initial principal AND the compound growth of regular contributions, providing a more comprehensive investment projection.
Q2: How does compounding frequency affect the result?
A: More frequent compounding (higher n) results in slightly higher returns due to interest being calculated and added more often.
Q3: Should I use annual or daily compounding?
A: For daily contributions, daily compounding (n=365) is most accurate and will yield the highest returns.
Q4: Can this calculator handle monthly contributions instead?
A: This specific calculator is designed for daily contributions. For monthly contributions, the formula would need adjustment to account for the different contribution frequency.
Q5: Are investment returns guaranteed?
A: No, this calculator provides projections based on fixed inputs. Actual investment returns may vary due to market fluctuations and other factors.