How it works
A higher APY represents a higher rate of return from an investment. As APY considers compounding interest, it means that the more often the interest is compounded, the higher your returns. For example, let us assume you start two APY savings account deposits worth Rs. 1 lakh each with the same interest rate and tenure with just one difference—the interest will compound 3 times in one deposit and 5 times in the other. Naturally, the APY for both investments would differ as interest compounding more times in the second deposit would lead to higher returns.
APY calculation and formula
APY’s meaning is useful and should be studied alongside the nominal rate of interest to find investments that can generate a high ROI. APY gives you the actual return that you would get on your investment. The formula to calculate APY is:
N= Nominal interest rate
T= Number of times the interest is compounded
From this formula and APY meaning, we learn that to calculate APY, we need the nominal rate for an investment and the number of times the interest will be compounded in the investment period. This would give a clearer picture of your returns at the end of the designated tenure.
Utility of APY
APY meaning is crucial in understanding the actual rate of return on investment. This becomes a vital part of decision-making for investors. These investments could be in any form, like deposits or bonds, but the percentage of the return on investment understood using the APY formula is always useful. These investments, however, can differ in various metrics. For example, investments could differ in the interest rates offered, tenures for payout, and the number of times the interest would compound.
What emerges as a crucial aspect of this discussion is the importance of compounding periods alongside the calculation. Even if you compare the rates of actual returns on investments over one year, the resulting numbers would be incomplete assessments as they overlook the impact of interest compounding over a longer term. Thus, the number of times a deposit would compound is an equally important metric for understanding investment value.
Read also: What is taxation
Top compound interest investments
After learning about APY's meaning and utility and how crucial compounding interest is, their value as tools to understand an investment’s returns cannot be understated. Thus, let us now explore a few options for compound interest investments in India and how you, as an investor, can benefit.
Types
In the Indian context, compound interest investment options can be categorised as follows:
- Safe compounding interest investments - As the name suggests, the focal point of these investments is safety over returns. Low-risk investors who seek decent returns and want to secure their money can utilise these instruments.
An example of a safe investment is the provident fund, where interest can compound and provide higher returns. If you are just starting in your professional journey, learning how to generate UAN number would be helpful for you to get started with your provident fund account and manage it effectively.
- Aggressive compounding interest investments - The focus of these investments is on maximising investors’ returns, but they also carry a higher risk. They offer higher rewards for higher risk and are thus more suited for investors with a greater risk appetite. Long-term investors also invest in these instruments as the risks pay out better in the long run.
Top investment options
- Safer investments - Relatively safe compounding interest investments in India include the Public Provident Fund (PPF), fixed deposits, debt mutual funds, National Savings Certificate (NSC), and life insurance plans for savings. For example, if you are an office-goer with a provident fund set up, you can earn compounding interest. You can check your EPF balance anytime through the EPF Balance Check.
- Aggressive compounding interest investments - More risk-intensive but rewarding options for compounding investments in India include investments in equity mutual funds, the National Pension Scheme (NPS), and equity-linked savings schemes (ELSS). As these options are often dependent on the markets, they can be volatile and are packaged with higher risks. However, their compounding interest rates allow them to multiply wealth aggressively.
Summing up
Understanding the annual percentage yield (APY) meaning and its calculation is crucial for investors. APY calculation accounts for compounding interest, offering a more accurate depiction of investment returns. Investors can better assess potential returns by considering both the nominal interest rate and compounding frequency. Whether opting for safer compounding interest investments like PPF and debt mutual funds or more aggressive options such as equity mutual funds and ELSS, knowledge of APY’s meaning enables informed decision-making tailored to individual financial goals and risk tolerance.
Calculate your expected investment returns with the help of our investment calculators
