Investment Calculator
Explore how an initial investment and regular contributions could grow over time under different assumed returns, fees and inflation rates.
Your assumptions
Estimated outcome
5 yearsHow to Read Your Investment Calculator Results
A calculator gives you numbers. An investor needs to understand what those numbers actually mean. This short lesson will help you read each result, understand what is driving your projected outcome and make better-informed investment decisions.
Your result is a projection based on the assumptions you enter: your starting investment, regular contributions, assumed return, fees, investment period and inflation. It is an illustration, not a promise of what your investment will actually be worth. Real investments can rise or fall, and actual returns, fees and inflation may differ from your assumptions.
Estimated net value
What it meansThis is the calculator's main projected result. It represents the estimated value of your investment at the end of the period after the assumed investment return and estimated fees have been taken into account.
Why it mattersIt helps you see the potential future value of the money you are investing under the assumptions you entered.
Investor lessonDo not look at this number alone. Compare it with your contributions, fees and inflation-adjusted value to understand the bigger picture.
Total contributions
What it meansThis is the total amount of your own money that you have put into the investment. It includes your initial investment plus the regular contributions you make during the investment period.
Why it mattersIt gives you a baseline for understanding how much of the projected final value comes from money you contributed yourself.
Investor lessonIncreasing your contributions can have a major effect on long-term wealth because your additional money also has the opportunity to earn returns.
Estimated gross value
What it meansThis is the projected value before the calculator deducts the estimated annual fees.
Why it mattersComparing gross value with net value helps you see the effect that the assumed fees can have on your projected investment outcome.
Investor lessonA small annual fee may appear insignificant at first, but fees can affect long-term results because money paid in fees is no longer available to compound.
Estimated fees
What it meansThis is the calculator's estimate of the fees paid over the investment period based on the annual fee assumption you enter.
Why it mattersInvestment costs reduce the amount of money that remains invested and available to generate future returns.
Investor lessonWhen comparing investments, look beyond the headline return. Understand the fees, charges and other costs that may apply.
Investment gain
What it meansThis shows the difference between your projected net value and the total amount you contributed.
Why it mattersIt helps separate the money you put into the investment from the projected additional value generated under the assumptions.
Investor lessonA larger gain does not automatically mean an investment is better. You should also consider risk, liquidity, fees, investment horizon and whether the assumptions are realistic.
Inflation-adjusted value
What it meansThis estimates what your projected future value could represent in today's purchasing power after accounting for the inflation assumption you entered.
Why it mattersA future KSh amount may be larger in numbers but buy less than the same amount can buy today if prices rise over time.
Investor lessonLong-term investing is not only about growing your money. It is also about protecting and increasing its purchasing power.
Imagine your calculator projects that your investment could grow substantially over several years. That sounds positive, but the future amount should not be viewed in isolation. Inflation can reduce what that future money can buy. This is why the inflation-adjusted value is an important second lens for understanding long-term investing.
Putting the six numbers together
Start with total contributions to understand how much money you put in. Then look at the estimated gross value to see the projected value before fees. Compare this with the estimated net value to understand the effect of fees. The investment gain shows the projected amount above your contributions, while the inflation-adjusted value helps you think about what that future amount may represent in today's purchasing power.
A simple investor checklist
Before acting on a projection, ask yourself: Are my expected returns realistic? Are the fees reasonable? How long can I stay invested? What level of risk am I comfortable taking? and will the investment keep pace with inflation? These questions turn a calculator result into a more meaningful investment conversation.