Performance calculation settings let you control how Navexa displays your portfolio returns, so you can view performance in the way that makes the most sense for your investing style.
Why These Settings Matter
Performance can be shown in different ways depending on what you want to measure.
Some investors want to see an average return per year. Others want to see the full return since they started investing. Some want cash balances included so they can measure the whole portfolio. Others want to focus only on invested holdings.
These settings give you that control.
You can change them at any time, and Navexa will update how performance is displayed. These settings do not change your trades, holdings, cash balances, or underlying portfolio data.
Open Calculation Settings
You can change performance calculation settings from your portfolio settings.
Open Portfolio.
Click the Portfolio settings cog in the top right.
Open the Calculation settings tab.
Choose your preferred settings.
Click Save.
These settings change how performance is shown in Navexa. They do not change your holdings, trades, or actual investment results.
What Each Setting Does
Annualise Returns
Annualise Returns controls whether Navexa shows your return as an average per year or as a total return across the full period.
Select Yes to show an annualised return.
Select No to show the full return across the whole period.
Turn this setting on when you want to compare performance across investments or time periods more easily.
Turn this setting off when you want to see the full gain or loss since you first invested, without converting it into a yearly rate.
Example
You invest AUD $10,000.
Your portfolio grows to AUD $12,100 after 2 years.
With Annualise Returns set to Yes, Navexa shows 10% p.a.
With Annualise Returns set to No, Navexa shows 21% total return.
That means:
10% p.a. shows the average yearly growth rate.
21% total return shows the full gain across the entire 2-year period.
Include Cash Positions
Include Cash Positions controls whether cash balances are included in your portfolio performance calculation.
Select Yes to include cash balances.
Select No to exclude cash balances.
Turn this setting on when you want a whole-of-portfolio view that includes money sitting in cash.
Turn this setting off when you want to measure only the performance of invested holdings like shares, ETFs, crypto, or managed funds.
Example
You have AUD $8,000 invested in holdings.
Those holdings grow by 10%, so they become AUD $8,800.
You also hold AUD $2,000 in cash, which does not change.
Your total portfolio becomes AUD $10,800.
With Include Cash Positions set to Yes, Navexa calculates return using the full AUD $10,000 portfolio.
Return = 8%
With Include Cash Positions set to No, Navexa calculates return using the invested AUD $8,000 only.
Return = 10%
That means:
Include Cash = Yes gives you a whole-portfolio result.
Include Cash = No shows the return on invested assets only.
Calculation Method
Calculation Method controls how Navexa expresses the return figure.
You can choose between Simple and Compound (CAGR).
Simple shows a straightforward return without compounding.
Compound (CAGR) shows the Compound Annual Growth Rate, which reflects compounding over time.
Use Simple when you want a plain reading of performance that is easy to follow.
Use Compound (CAGR) when you want a more meaningful annual growth rate for long-term comparisons.
Example
You invest AUD $10,000.
Your portfolio grows to AUD $13,310 after 3 years.
With Simple:
Total return = 33.1%
If annualised, that works out to about 11.03% p.a.
This method does not account for compounding.
With Compound (CAGR):
Return = 10% p.a.
This method reflects the annual growth rate with compounding included.
That means:
Simple is more direct, but it can overstate annual performance over longer periods.
Compound (CAGR) is usually better for comparing long-term growth.
Choosing The Right Setup
The best setting depends on what you want to understand.
Choose Annualise Returns = Yes when you want yearly comparisons.
Choose Annualise Returns = No when you want full-period return.
Choose Include Cash Positions = Yes when you want whole-portfolio performance.
Choose Include Cash Positions = No when you want invested-assets-only performance.
Choose Simple when you want a straightforward reading of return.
Choose Compound (CAGR) when you want a more meaningful annual growth rate over time.
Common Questions
Do These Settings Change My Data?
No. These settings only change how performance is displayed in Navexa.
They do not change your trades, holdings, cash balances, or actual portfolio results.
Can I Change These Settings Later?
Yes. You can update these settings at any time from Portfolio settings.
When you save a new choice, Navexa updates the way performance is shown.
Why Would Two People Choose Different Settings?
Different investors want to see different things.
One investor may want a whole-portfolio view that includes cash. Another may want to measure only invested assets. One may prefer total return. Another may prefer an annualised return for easier comparison.
These settings are there so you can choose the view that is most useful to you.