Price Returns

Calculation

Price returns quantify the percentage change in an asset’s price over a specified period, representing the gain or loss from holding that asset. Simple returns are calculated as the difference between the ending and beginning price, divided by the beginning price. Logarithmic returns, or continuously compounded returns, are often preferred in quantitative finance for their additive properties across time periods. The choice of calculation method depends on the specific analytical context. This metric provides a standardized measure of performance.