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How do I use the Graphs?

Different graph options are simply selected by clicking the relevant buttons on the graph window, as follows:

Growth and Return Graphs

The "Growth" and "Return" buttons (at the top of the window) select the basic type of graph, viz. Growth Graphs or Return Graphs.

Graph Period

The buttons that appear along the bottom of the graph window, labeled �1 Year�, �3 Year�, etc. allow you to select the period for which the graph will be displayed.

If the fund has not been available for a particular period, the button will be disabled and will appear "grayed".

Bar or Line Graphs

The graphic buttons to the right of the period buttons, allow you to toggle between a bar graph and a line graph.

The currently selected type of graph button will appear to be depressed. Simply click the other button if you would like that type of graph to be displayed.

Types of Graphs

Easy Info on Unit Trusts provides two graphical analyses for each fund, viz. a Growth Graph and a Return Graph. These graphs give different views of the performance of the particular fund over specified time periods and are compared in both cases to the inflation rate, as measured by the CPI. All graphs may be viewed as either line graphs or bar graphs.

Growth Graph

Growth graphs are designed to present a picture of the growth of the fund over the period and indicate to what extent the growth of the fund is real growth (i.e. how much the fund has grown against inflation). They reflect the actual growth of the investment in the particular fund, as all charges are taken into account.

Expressed simply, the growth graph charts the increase in value of a lump sum of R100 invested at the starting date to the present. Each value charted is the amount that would be obtained, if the investment was withdrawn from the fund at that date.

The growth of the inital investment due to inflation is calculated from the monthly CPI figures supplied by the Central Statistical Services. Each value along the chart represents the real value of the inital investment sum at that date.

See also: Assumptions for Growth Graphs

Return Graph

Return graphs are designed to indicate the rate of growth of the fund and to what extent the return fluctuates from quarter to quarter. They are not intended to be used as a method of calculating an actual return on investment, as they do not take into account the charges levied on Unit Trust investments.

Expressed simply, the return graph measures the performance of the fund over the preceding year, for each quarter over the period in question.

Its is calculated by taking the growth of a lump sum invested a year prior to the date for which a return is being calculated. The increase in value is expressed as a percentage. This calculation is repeated for each quarter in the period being graphed.

The inflation return graph is similarly calculated using the monthly CPI to determine the real value of the investment, starting a year prior to the date being charted.

See also: Assumptions for Return Graphs

Graph Periods

Graphs are available for 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years preceding the last date for which data was available at the release date of the disk. Many funds have not been available over the last 30 years, graphs are therefore only available for the time periods during which the fund has been operating.

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Assumptions and Calculations

The following applies to both Growth and Return Graphs:

Growth Graphs

The initial charge, brokerage and marketable securities tax is taken into account.

The full 5% initial charge is subtracted.

Growth graphs are calculated using the Selling to Repurchase prices, with the exception of the 1 year graphs, which is based on Selling to Selling prices. (See also: Assumptions for all graphs)

Return Graphs

Returns are based on the Selling to Selling prices.

The return is calculated as an annual interest each quarter from the corresponding quarter of the previous year. (See also: Assumptions for all graphs)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Different types of Graphs?

What does a Growth Graph show?

What does a Return Graph show?

How are the graphs calculated?

How do I use the Graphs?

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