Financial Functions

The Excel ACCRINT function returns the accrued interest for a security that pays interest periodically. The Syntax is: ACCRINT(issue, first_interest, settlement, rate, par, frequency, [basis], [calc_method]) The arguments can be explained as: issue - the issue date of the security. first_interest - the first date interest will be paid. settlement - the settlement date of …

I received an email from Stacey a few weeks ago asking: “Which formula would I use to find the initial investment amount required to have $15,000 at the end of 5 years, if my bank pays 4.75% interest, compounded monthly?” The answer is the PV Function. =PV(4.75%/12,60,0,-15000,0) =$11,834.50 Excel’s PV Function PV Function Syntax =PV(rate,nper,pmt,[fv],[type]) …

James wrote to me and asked: if he buys shares worth $2000 and gets 4% return, how many times does he need to reinvest all of his capital before he makes $1m. Of course James was quick to point out that this scenario doesn’t take into account loosing on any of his trades. Reasonable I …