Annual growth rate
Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) or cumulative annual growth rate is another term for the
rate of return or interest rate variable in the formula Present value of a dollar and Future
value of a dollar discussed at time value of money. It measures the rate of change in a value
between two points in time(t and t0). These equations are basic to the concept of compound interest.
In business, CAGR is used to describe the growth over a period of time of some element of the
business, usually revenue, although other measures may be used (such as the number of units
delivered, registered users, etc.). CAGR is not an accounting term, but remains widely used,
particularly in growth industries. CAGR is preferable to applying more simplistic terms,
such as "business doubled in three years", as it properly accounts for the effect of compounding.
Example
A company may double its sales (an increase of 100%) over a period of four years. Applying the
formula above, the CAGR is approximately 18.9% (not 25% per year):
Note: the actual sales figures may be used for calculation, or (as above) normalized values
that retain the same mathematical proportion.
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