Actual Return

The gain or loss an investor actually obtains from his investments. it is contrasted with the expected return which is calculated via historical models. The actual return may very well differ from the expected return, due to many differing reasons.

As Peter Lynch wrote in his book “One Up on Wall St” ,”I learnt in university that the stock market goes up 9% a year on average. After that, I’ve never seen a year when the stock market actually gained exactly 9%”(paraphrased).