Sally is reviewing the performance of several portfolios in the family trusts. Trust A is managed by Wall Street Investment Advisors and Trust B is managed by LaSalle Street Investment Advisors. Both trusts are invested in a combination of stocks and bonds and have the following returns:
Trust A Trust B
year 1 15% 12%
year 2 10 15
year 3 -4 -2
year 4 25 20
year 5 -8 -5
a. Calculate the annualized geometric and arithmetic returns over this 5-year period.
b. Which manager performed the best, and is there a significant enough difference for Sally to move her money to the winning manager?
c. Explain the difference between the geometric and arithmetic returns.