The Rule of 72: How long will it take a Rs 5,000 monthly investment to grow over Rs 5 lakh with a 12% return

Know how the Rule of 72 helps estimate investment growth and how long will it take a Rs 5,000 monthly investment to grow over Rs 5 lakh with a 12% return? Perfect for optimising your financial planning!

ZeeBiz WebTeam | Sep 10, 2024, 02:00 PM IST

Discover how the Rule of 72 applies to investment growth with a 12% annual return. At this rate, a lump sum investment doubles in approximately 6 years. For a monthly investment of Rs 5000, contributions will also double in about 6 years due to the compounding effect. This quick estimation tool helps you understand how your investments grow over time. Use these insights to plan and optimise your financial strategy for better returns.

 
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What is the Rule of 72?

What is the Rule of 72?

  • A formula used to estimate how long it takes for an investment to double based on its fixed annual rate of return.

  • You calculate this by dividing 72 by the rate of return.

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Key Uses of the Rule of 72

Key Uses of the Rule of 72

  • Estimate Investment Growth: Helps predict when your investment will double in size.

  • Simple Calculation: Quick and easy way to assess if you're on track with financial goals.
  • Approximations: Not the most precise, but it gives a close estimate for growth.

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Understanding the Rule of 72

Understanding the Rule of 72

What it Does

  • Determines the time it will take to double your money using a given annual rate of return.
  • Also applicable for calculating how inflation halves the value of your money.

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Formula

Formula

T ≈ 72 ÷ R

  • T = Time to double the investment
  • R = Interest rate per period (%)

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Limitations

Limitations

  • Works best with an interest rate close to 8%.

  • Less accurate for rates much higher or lower than 8%.

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Formula Breakdown

Formula Breakdown

Basic Calculation

  • Divide 72 by the annual rate of return.
  • Time to double can be expressed in days, months, or years depending on how the interest rate is stated.

Approximation

  • The formula uses an approximation (≈) symbol because it provides an estimate, not an exact figure.

Other Applications

  • Can be applied to estimate how long it takes for an investment to lose value (halving time).
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Benefits of the Rule of 72

Benefits of the Rule of 72

  • Easy to Use: Simple and quick calculation for investors.

  • Flexibility: Applies to various market factors, such as GDP or population growth.

  • Investment Strategy: Helps investors gauge when to sell for a 2:1 profit.

  • Risk Management: Allows adjustments to investment positions based on growth estimates.

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How long will it take a Rs 5,000 monthly investment to grow over Rs 5 lakh?

How long will it take a Rs 5,000 monthly investment to grow over Rs 5 lakh?

  • Rule of 72: At a 12% annual return, a lump sum investment doubles in approximately 6 years.
  • SIP Doubling: For a Rs 5,000 monthly SIP at 12% annual return, the investment will approximately turn into Rs 5.16 lakh about 6 years due to compounding effects.

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