If the Investment Performance report shows an unrealistically high return, it’s often due to how Quicken handles partial-year investments. You can adjust the report settings to get a more accurate result.
Use a date range of 365 days or more
When the report covers less than a full year, Quicken extrapolates the return to a full 12-month period. For example:
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A 10% return over 6 months appears as 20% annualized.
This assumption only holds if the investment continues performing the same way, which may not be realistic.
Understand when extrapolation works
Quicken's extrapolation works best for:
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Income-oriented investments, such as:
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Bonds
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High-dividend stocks
These investments generate regular income that tends to be stable over time.
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Extrapolation is less accurate for:
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Growth-oriented investments, where:
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Early gains may not repeat
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Returns can vary widely
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For growth investments, use a custom date range that reflects the calendar year rather than year-to-date for better results.
How price assumptions affect performance
When the report covers exactly one year:
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Quicken assumes the year-end value equals the current market price.
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No additional appreciation or loss is projected.
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The performance shown is based on actual data—not extrapolated or prorated.
This provides the most accurate view of your current investment performance.