Rule of 72 in Finance and Investing: Definition, Calculation, Formula, Example, Equation

Subscribe to newsletter

When it comes to financing, the Rule of 72 is a quick way to estimate how long an investment will take to double, given a fixed annual rate of return. The rule is useful for comparing the doubling time of different investments. It is also a good way to see whether an investment’s return is meeting your expectations.

The formula is simple and is based on the idea that money grows at a compound interest rate. Compound interest is when you earn interest not only on your original investment but also on the accumulated interest from previous periods.

What is the Rule of 72

The Rule of 72 is a simple way to determine how long it will take for an investment to double in value. The rule states that you simply divide the number 72 by the interest rate you are earning on your investment, and the result is the number of years it will take for your money to double.

Subscribe to newsletter https://harbourfrontquant.beehiiv.com/subscribe Newsletter Covering Trading Strategies, Risk Management, Financial Derivatives, Career Perspectives, and More

It’s very important to remember that the Rule of 72 is only a guideline and not a foolproof method for predicting the future. Many factors can affect how long it will take for your money to double, including inflation, fees, and changes in the underlying investment.

That being said, the Rule of 72 is still a helpful tool for understanding the power of compound interest. By knowing how long it will take for your money to double, you can get a better sense of how quickly your investment will grow.

The formula of the Rule of 72

As we said, the formula of the Rule of 72 is very simple. You just divide the number 72 by the expected annual rate of return on your investment. The result will be the approximate amount of time it would take for your money to double.

The formula of the Rule of 72 is as follows,

Doubling year (expected years to double your money) = 72 / Annual interest rate

Doubling year: The number of years it would take for your money to double

Annual interest rate: The expected annual rate of return on your investment

Examples of Rule of 72

Let’s say you’re planning to invest $10,000 in a savings account that pays 2% interest per year. How long will it take for your investment to double using the Rule of 72?

$10,000 x 2% = $200

72 / 2 = 36 years

It would take approximately 36 years for your investment to double to $20,000.

Now let’s say you want to know how long it will take to double your money if you’re earning 6% interest per year.

72 / 6 = 12 years

It would take approximately 12 years for your money to double at a 6% annual rate of return.

The Rule of 72 is a simple way to estimate how long an investment will take to double, given a fixed annual rate of return. The rule is useful for comparing the doubling time of different investments. It is also a good way to see whether an investment’s return is meeting your expectations.

Conclusion

The rule of 72 is a helpful tool that can be used to estimate how long it will take to double an investment. It is also useful for calculating the required rate of return on investment to achieve a financial goal. The formula is simple, all you have to do is divide 72 by the expected annual rate of return.

Subscribe to newsletter https://harbourfrontquant.beehiiv.com/subscribe Newsletter Covering Trading Strategies, Risk Management, Financial Derivatives, Career Perspectives, and More

Further questions

What's your question? Ask it in the discussion forum

Have an answer to the questions below? Post it here or in the forum

LATEST NEWSBCA on why Trump's immigration policies may not mean a tighter jobs market
BCA on why Trump's immigration policies may not mean a tighter jobs market
Stay up-to-date with the latest news - click here
LATEST NEWSGameStop reports third-quarter profit on spending cuts
GameStop reports third-quarter profit on spending cuts
Stay up-to-date with the latest news - click here
LATEST NEWSAustralia Shares Set for Opening Decline
Australia Shares Set for Opening Decline

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 looks likely to slip at the open following a soft lead by U.S. equities.

Stay up-to-date with the latest news - click here
LATEST NEWSAsian Stocks Set for Sluggish Start as CPI Looms: Markets Wrap
Asian Stocks Set for Sluggish Start as CPI Looms: Markets Wrap

Asian shares were poised for a tepid opening as traders await key US inflation data for clues on whether the Federal Reserve will cut or hold rates next week.

Stay up-to-date with the latest news - click here
LATEST NEWSMyers Industries interim CEO Basque Dave buys $179k in stock
Myers Industries interim CEO Basque Dave buys $179k in stock
Stay up-to-date with the latest news - click here

Leave a Reply