What Does a “1Y Return” Really Mean?
What Is “1Y Return”?
When you see “1Y Return +23.4%” next to an ETF like QQQ, it means the value of the asset has grown by 23.4% over the past year, counting from today back to the same date one year ago.
Let’s make it real.
If you invested $10,000 in QQQ a year ago, today you’d have $12,340 — a gain of $2,340.
Here’s how that math looks:
Example Calculation
If you had invested $10 000 one year ago, your position would now be worth:
| Example | Value |
|---|---|
| Initial investment | $10 000 |
| Growth (+23.4%) | +$2 340 |
| Current value | $12 340 |
But keep in mind — this money isn’t “yours” until you sell at least part of your holdings. Until then, it’s called unrealized profit — your portfolio is worth more, but no cash has been received.
Realized vs Unrealized Profit
Your gains are unrealized until you sell.
Sell 20 shares at $123.40 each → you receive $2 468 cash (realized) and still hold 80 shares ($9 872 unrealized).
Together = $12 340 total value.
Partial Sale Example
Suppose you own 100 shares worth $123.40 each.
You decide to sell 20 of them:
- You receive $2,468 in cash (20 × $123.40) — that’s realized profit.
- You still hold 80 shares worth $9,872 — unrealized.
Together, your total value is the same — but part is now real money, part is still on paper.
FinImpulse Insight:
Tracking 1Y Return helps compare short-term performance across assets — but it’s only part of the full picture.
We provide the data — you decide what’s right.
