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Difference Between IRR & XIRR in Commercial Real Estate

Misunderstanding around how these calculations are carried out can become sources of disagreement. While partnership agreements should clearly define these procedures, it’s unfortunately common for them to be vague and even contradictory on how the calculations are handled. Notice that the dj in the exponent is the actual number of days, and in all cases XIRR uses a 365-day year. This is a more intuitive way to define IRR compared to the traditional textbook definition that IRR is the discount rate that causes the NPV to equal zero. While both XIRR and CAGR are useful for measuring investment returns, they come with limitations that investors should be aware of.

What is CAGR?

It’s also important to compare the IRR or XIRR against the cost of capital or required rate of return. If the calculated IRR or XIRR exceeds the cost of capital, the investment is generally considered worthwhile. This comparison helps investors determine whether the potential returns justify the risks and costs involved.

XIRR vs IRR in Excel (Differences with Examples)

Both metrics serve as essential tools for investors, yet they differ significantly in their application and interpretation. Grasping these differences is crucial for making informed investment decisions. This means it’s a more accurate measure of profitability when the cash flows are not evenly spaced over time.

By creating multiple scenarios—such as best-case, worst-case, and most-likely outcomes—investors can evaluate how different conditions affect the investment’s returns. This method provides a more comprehensive view of potential risks and rewards, enabling a more strategic approach to investment planning. On the other hand, XIRR comes into play when cash flows are not periodic or occur at irregular intervals. This is often the case with private equity investments, construction projects, or any scenario where cash flows are sporadic and do not conform to a set schedule. XIRR accommodates these irregularities by assigning specific dates to each cash flow, thereby providing a more accurate reflection of the investment’s performance.

Accuracy in Handling Cash Flows

difference between irr and xirr

The internal rate of return is utilized, in order to give an indication of the profitability of a potential investment. The Extended Internal Rate of Return, or the XIRR function, calculates the internal rate of return for an irregular series of cash flows or instalments. IRR tends to overstate the potential profitability of a project and can lead to capital budgeting mistakes based on an overly optimistic estimate. A variation of this metric, called the modified internal rate of return (MIRR), compensates for this flaw and gives managers more control over the assumed reinvestment rate from future cash flows. The internal rate of return (IRR) is a financial metric used to evaluate difference between irr and xirr the profitability of an investment project.

We will use the following dataset to illustrate the difference between XIRR and IRR in Excel. Download the Bajaj Finserv App today and experience the convenience of managing your finances on one app. Another limit of the IRR as a decision criterion for investing is that the result is not in agreement with the decision criterion based on NPV, which represents the value created by the investment. You can download the Excel file below in which I illustrate the use of the IRR function in Excel based on a simple example.

difference between irr and xirr

Calculating XIRR and IRR in Excel

Each metric serves a distinct purpose, catering to different requirements in financial analysis, thus helping investors make informed decisions about their portfolios. Remember, the devil is in the details, and in financial analysis, overlooking even the smallest detail can have substantial repercussions. Results help compare with other investment options, evaluate performance against benchmarks, assess risk-return relationships and make informed investment decisions based on expected returns. A higher IRR suggests that the investment is more desirable, as it typically offers better returns. It is widely used to compare different investment opportunities with similar characteristics. When analyzing multiple projects or investments, the one with the highest IRR is generally considered the most attractive and potentially profitable choice.

Both functions, IRR and XIRR, are exactly the same as in example 1 above. The IRR function still returns the same results no matter at which point in time the cash flow occurs. The XIRR function on the other hand regards the exact date of the cash flow. The internal rate of return is the interest rate received for an investment consisting of payments (negative values) and income (positive values) that occur at regular periods.

Scenarios to Use IRR vs XIRR

To find the monthly effective rate we can simply plug in -100,000 for PV, 12 for N, 1,000 for PMT, and 100,000 for FV. You will get the same result if you calculate an IRR on these cash flows. Since our cash flows are monthly, that means we can first solve for a monthly effective interest rate. Once we have a monthly effective rate, we can then convert this into an annual effective rate.

What do the IRR and XIRR functions do in Excel?

CAGR is the most common mutual fund return used when a fund’s performance is discussed. This indicates the annualized rate of growth over the specified time period. There are several differences between IRR and MIRR, and these differences are what make the general view that MIRR demonstrates a more realistic picture of a project.

This means the initial cash outlay and subsequent cash inlays will have the same earning potential, even if these cash flows span years. Consider investing ₹100,000 in an IPO, receiving ₹10,000 annual dividends for three years, then selling at ₹150,000. IRR calculation determines the effective annual return rate considering all these cash flows.