What does the term 'return' refer to in investments?

The term 'return' in investments refers to the gain or loss made on an investment. It provides a measure of the profit or loss generated by an investment relative to its initial cost over a certain period. This can be expressed as a percentage or a monetary value, making it a critical factor for investors to assess the performance of their investments. Understanding return helps investors make informed decisions about where to allocate their resources, evaluate the effectiveness of their strategies, and compare different investment opportunities.

Considerations like money saved on taxes, the total amount invested, and the time it takes for an investment to mature may influence an investor's decisions but do not define the concept of return itself. Each of these factors plays a role in the overall investment process but does not encapsulate the essence of financial return from an investment.