In: Accounting
How does simple interest compare to compound interest? Which is more desirable to an investor? Why? How does the frequency of compounding affect returns?
Simple Interest : simple interest paid or received over a certain period is a fixed percentage of the principal amount that was borrowed or lent.simple interest is the sum paid for using the borowed money, for a fixed period
Formula : Simple Interest = Principal amount (P) x Interest Rate
(I) x Term of loan or deposit (N) in years.
Compound Interest : Compound Interest calculated by multiplying the
principal amount by the annual interest rate raised to the number
of compound periods, and then minus the reduction in the principal
for that year whenever the interest becomes due for payment, it is
added to the principal, on which interest for the succeeding period
is reckoned, this is known as compound
interest
Formula : Compound Interest = Total amount of Principal and
Interest in future less Principal amount at present
Which is more desirable to an investor : Simple interest is calculated on the principal amount of a loan only. Compound interest is calculated on the principal amount and also on any accumulated interestof previous periods that was not paid, and can thus be regarded as “interest oninterest.If a loan is paid timely and there is no accumulated interest both a simple interest loan and a compound interest loan will be exactly the same.
Frequency of compounding affect returns : you will see the
effect of compounding only if the interest is not paid out (in case
of cumulative fixed deposits). If the interest is paid out
regularly, there is no compounding and the effect will go down
(unless you reinvest the proceeds).Compound interest (or
compounding interest) is interest calculated on the initial
principal and also on the accumulated interest of previous periods
of a deposit or loan. Thought to have originated in 17th-century
Italy, compound interest can be thought of as “interest on
interest,” and will make a sum grow at a faster rate than simple
interest, which is calculated only on the principal amount. The
rate at which compound interest accrues depends on the frequency of
compounding; the higher the number of compounding periods, the
greater the compound interesy.