AER Formula:
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AER (Annual Equivalent Rate) converts gross interest rates to an annualized equivalent, allowing for comparison between financial products with different compounding periods. It shows the true annual return when interest is compounded.
The calculator uses the AER formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula accounts for compounding by raising the periodic rate to the power of the number of periods in a year, then converts it back to a percentage.
Details: AER provides a standardized way to compare financial products with different interest payment frequencies. It helps consumers make informed decisions about savings accounts, investments, and loans by showing the true annual return.
Tips: Enter the gross interest rate as a percentage and the number of days in the interest period. The calculator will compute the annual equivalent rate for easy comparison across different financial products.
Q1: What's the difference between gross rate and AER?
A: Gross rate is the stated interest rate for a specific period, while AER shows what the rate would be if interest were compounded annually.
Q2: Why use 365 days in the formula?
A: 365 days is the standard for annualizing rates in most financial calculations, providing a consistent basis for comparison.
Q3: When is AER most useful?
A: AER is particularly useful when comparing savings accounts, certificates of deposit, or investments with different compounding frequencies or term lengths.
Q4: Does AER account for fees or taxes?
A: No, AER only converts the gross interest rate to an annual equivalent. Fees, taxes, and other charges are not included in this calculation.
Q5: Can AER be higher than the gross rate?
A: Yes, when interest compounds more frequently than annually, AER will be higher than the simple gross rate due to the compounding effect.