You save $5000 and invest 60% of it in stocks while leaving the rest

in a savings account earning 4.9% APR. The stock increases 9% in the
first year and loses 4% of its value the second year. What is the total
gained during the 2 years? What would the gain have been if
all of the investment had been left in the savings account?

1 answer

To calculate the total gained during the two years, we need to find out how much money is made from the stock investment and from the savings account separately.

Step 1: Determine the amounts in stocks and savings account

You save $5,000 and invest 60% in stocks.

  • Investment in stocks: \( 5000 \times 0.60 = 3000 \)
  • Amount in savings account: \( 5000 - 3000 = 2000 \)

Step 2: Calculate the growth of the stock investment

The stock investment increases by 9% in the first year and then loses 4% in the second year.

  1. First year: \[ \text{Value after first year} = 3000 \times (1 + 0.09) = 3000 \times 1.09 = 3270 \]

  2. Second year: \[ \text{Value after second year} = 3270 \times (1 - 0.04) = 3270 \times 0.96 = 3139.20 \]

Step 3: Calculate the growth of the savings account

The savings account earns 4.9% APR.

  1. First year: \[ \text{Value after first year} = 2000 \times (1 + 0.049) = 2000 \times 1.049 = 2098 \]

  2. Second year: \[ \text{Value after second year} = 2098 \times (1 + 0.049) = 2098 \times 1.049 = 2208.902 \]

Step 4: Total value after 2 years

Now, add the final values from both investments after two years.

  • Total value = Value from stocks + Value from savings \[ \text{Total value} = 3139.20 + 2208.902 = 5348.102 \]

Step 5: Calculate total gain

Total gain is the final total value minus the initial investment: \[ \text{Total gain} = 5348.102 - 5000 = 348.102 \]

Step 6: Calculate gain if all money was in the savings account

If the entire $5,000 was invested in the savings account at 4.9%:

  1. First year: \[ \text{Value after first year} = 5000 \times (1 + 0.049) = 5000 \times 1.049 = 5245 \]

  2. Second year: \[ \text{Value after second year} = 5245 \times (1 + 0.049) = 5245 \times 1.049 = 5505.805 \]

Gain with complete savings account investment

\[ \text{Total gain with savings only} = 5505.805 - 5000 = 505.805 \]

Summary of results

  • Total gained during 2 years with split investments: $348.10
  • Total gained if all money was in the savings account: $505.81