Search
Close this search box.

Table of Contents

Information Ratio



Definition

The Information Ratio (IR) is a financial tool used to evaluate the risk-adjusted return of a financial portfolio or a certain investment strategy. It is calculated as the portfolio’s excess return over a benchmark, divided by the portfolio’s tracking error. The higher the Information Ratio, the more superior a portfolio’s performance is considered to be, relative to its risk-taking.

Phonetic

The phonetic pronunciation of “Information Ratio” is /ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən ˈreɪʃioʊ/

Key Takeaways

“`html

  1. Measure of Risk-Adjusted Return: The Information Ratio is a tool used to measure the return per unit risk for a given investment portfolio. It is similar to the Sharpe ratio, but it measures the active return of an investor’s portfolio and the negative tracking error. Essentially, it shows how much excess return is being earned for the level of extra risk taken.
  2. Comparison Benchmark: Information Ratio compares a portfolio’s return to a benchmark index return, considering the consistency of the portfolio’s performance. It is widely used in portfolio management to assess the performance of a particular investment strategy, as it indicates the consistency of an investment manager’s skill.
  3. Interpretation: A high Information Ratio indicates a high risk-adjusted return and is preferable. However, a low Information Ratio may indicate that the risk taken by the investor or investment manager isn’t justified by the returns. Hence, the Information Ratio plays an important role in investment decisions.

“`

Importance

The Information Ratio (IR) is an important concept in business and finance because it is a crucial tool used for measuring the effectiveness and skill of an investment manager. It gauges the ability of an investment to generate excess returns relative to a benchmark index, while also taking into account the consistency of performance and the volatility of those returns. The IR, therefore, helps investors to understand the risk-adjusted return of an investment, indicating how much risk was taken to achieve a certain level of return. A higher ratio suggests a higher risk-adjusted return, making it very useful for investors when they assess investment options and make investment decisions.

Explanation

The Information Ratio is an essential tool used in the financial industry for assessing the performance of an investment portfolio. Its primary purpose is to measure the potential returns of a portfolio, taking into account the level of risk involved. This ratio allows investors or portfolio managers to quantify and compare the amount of active risk taken to achieve excess returns over a benchmark.The Information Ratio is especially beneficial for market-savvy professionals such as fund managers because it provides a deeper understanding of whether the additional returns, when compared to a benchmark index, are due to strategic investment or just luck. It considers not only the excess returns but also the consistency of the portfolio’s performance. A higher Information Ratio signifies effective investment strategies, while a lower value might indicate poor tactics. So, the Information Ratio plays an integral part in adjusting investment strategies and making financially sound decisions based on precise cost-risk analysis.

Examples

The Information Ratio (IR) is a financial ratio that measures a portfolio manager’s skill and ability to generate excess returns to the risks taken. Here are three real-world examples:1. Vanguard Health Care Fund:Consider a situation where an investor considers investing in the Vanguard Health Care Fund. First, they want to compare this fund to its benchmark index, the MSCI All-Country World Health Care Index. After analysis, it’s found that the fund’s annual return was 10%, while the benchmark index had annual returns of 9%. Moreover, the fund’s tracking error, which measures the standard deviation of the fund’s returns compared to the index, was about 2%. Thus, the Information Ratio would be 0.5 (i.e., (10%-9%)/2%). The positive IR score indicates that the fund manager has managed to outperform the benchmark on a risk-adjusted basis.2. BlackRock Equity Fund:Assume, the BlackRock Equity Fund’s average annual return was 12%, while its benchmark index, the Russell 1000 Index, achieved an annual return of 10%. The fund’s tracking error was 3%. Therefore, the information ratio for the BlackRock Equity Fund would be approximately 0.67 (i.e., (12%-10%)/3%). With a positive IR, it suggests that the fund outperformed its benchmark index after adjusting for the risk undertaken.3. Fidelity Contrafund:Let’s suppose the Fidelity Contrafund had an average return of 13% compared to its benchmark S&P 500’s 11%. If the tracking error is 4%, then the IR would be (13%-11%)/4% equals to 0.5. This positive IR indicates that on a risk-adjusted basis, the Fidelity Contrafund manager has performed better than the benchmark index.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

What is the Information Ratio in finance?

The Information Ratio (IR) is a financial tool used to measure the risk-adjusted performance of a financial portfolio. It calculates the potential return of an investment relative to a benchmark, along with the consistency of that return, therefore representing a risk-to-reward ratio.

How is the Information Ratio calculated?

The Information Ratio is calculated by taking the difference between the returns of the investment and the returns of a chosen benchmark, then dividing that by the tracking error, which is the standard deviation of that difference.

Why is the Information Ratio important in investment analysis?

The Information Ratio provides an indicator about the efficiency of an investment’s performance compared to its benchmark. It aids investors to evaluate the risk-reward ratio, determine the consistency of returns, and compare different investment strategies or portfolio managers.

What does a high Information Ratio imply?

A high Information Ratio signifies the investment or portfolio manager has a better risk-adjusted performance when compared to the benchmark. It indicates that the investment is generating more return for the level of risk being taken.

What does a low Information Ratio signify?

A low Information Ratio means that an investment or portfolio manager is not achieving high enough returns considering the risk taken. It can indicate that they are less efficient at generating returns in relation to the benchmark.

Is the Information Ratio used in isolation?

No, the Information Ratio is generally not used in isolation. It is used in conjunction with other risk assessment measures like the Sharpe Ratio, Alpha and Beta measures to provide a broader view of an investment’s performance.

Can you provide an example of how the Information Ratio may be used?

An investment manager may use the Information Ratio to compare different investment strategies, defining which one provides the highest return for a given level of risk. For example, if two portfolios have the same return but different Information Ratios, an investment professional might choose the portfolio with a higher Information Ratio, signifying a better risk-reward balance.

What are the limitations of the Information Ratio?

The Information Ratio only measures the outperformance against a specific benchmark. If the benchmark itself is not appropriate, it can mislead the measurement. Also, significant disparities between the investment and benchmark can undermine the assessment this ratio provides.

Related Finance Terms

Sources for More Information


About Our Editorial Process

At Due, we are dedicated to providing simple money and retirement advice that can make a big impact in your life. Our team closely follows market shifts and deeply understands how to build REAL wealth. All of our articles undergo thorough editing and review by financial experts, ensuring you get reliable and credible money advice.

We partner with leading publications, such as Nasdaq, The Globe and Mail, Entrepreneur, and more, to provide insights on retirement, current markets, and more.

We also host a financial glossary of over 7000 money/investing terms to help you learn more about how to take control of your finances.

View our editorial process

About Our Journalists

Our journalists are not just trusted, certified financial advisers. They are experienced and leading influencers in the financial realm, trusted by millions to provide advice about money. We handpick the best of the best, so you get advice from real experts. Our goal is to educate and inform, NOT to be a ‘stock-picker’ or ‘market-caller.’ 

Why listen to what we have to say?

While Due does not know how to predict the market in the short-term, our team of experts DOES know how you can make smart financial decisions to plan for retirement in the long-term.

View our expert review board

About Due

Due makes it easier to retire on your terms. We give you a realistic view on exactly where you’re at financially so when you retire you know how much money you’ll get each month. Get started today.

Due Fact-Checking Standards and Processes

To ensure we’re putting out the highest content standards, we sought out the help of certified financial experts and accredited individuals to verify our advice. We also rely on them for the most up to date information and data to make sure our in-depth research has the facts right, for today… Not yesterday. Our financial expert review board allows our readers to not only trust the information they are reading but to act on it as well. Most of our authors are CFP (Certified Financial Planners) or CRPC (Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor) certified and all have college degrees. Learn more about annuities, retirement advice and take the correct steps towards financial freedom and knowing exactly where you stand today. Learn everything about our top-notch financial expert reviews below… Learn More