What does "Yield" mean? Why do investors need to understand this?

In the investment industry, the term “Yield” is frequently used, but many people still do not understand its true meaning or what yield actually translates to. This issue affects their investment decision-making. Today, we will discuss the definition, calculation methods, and applications of Yield in an easy-to-understand format.

What is Yield, Really?

Yield or in Thai, “อัตราผลตอบแทน”, is a number that shows how much profit your investment will generate over a certain period, expressed as a percentage per year.

Imagine you invest 1,000 baht in an asset and receive a return or some income. If expressed as a percentage of the original investment, that is Yield.

How many types of Yield are there? Let’s get to know them

Yield has many types, depending on the kind of asset you invest in:

1. Dividend Yield - Return from dividends

Dividend Yield measures the return from dividends paid by a company to shareholders relative to the stock price.

Calculation formula: Dividend Yield = (Dividend per share ÷ Current stock price) × 100%

Real example: Company XYZ has a stock price of 200 baht and pays a dividend of 10 baht per share. Therefore, Dividend Yield = (10 ÷ 200) × 100% = 5%

2. Bond Yield - Return from bonds

Bond Yield is the return you get from investing in bonds or other debt instruments, calculated from the annual interest paid relative to the bond’s purchase price.

Calculation formula: Bond Yield = (Annual interest ÷ Purchase price of bond) × 100%

Example: You buy a bond worth 1,000 baht with an interest rate of 4% per year. Bond Yield = (40 ÷ 1,000) × 100% = 4%

3. Earnings Yield - Return from profit

Earnings Yield measures net profit per share relative to the current stock price.

Calculation formula: Earnings Yield = (Net profit per share ÷ Current stock price) × 100%

4. Mutual Funds Yield - Return from mutual funds

Mutual Funds Yield is calculated from the total income of the mutual fund, (dividends and interest), divided by the fund’s net asset value.

Calculation formula: Mutual Funds Yield = (Total income ÷ Net asset value of the fund) × 100%

What factors influence Yield?

Investment returns do not appear out of thin air. Several factors influence Yield:

Type of asset: Ordinary stocks tend to have more volatile Yield than bonds due to differing risks.

Market conditions: Interest rates, economic situation, and political stability all affect expected Yield.

Investment duration: Generally, long-term investments offer higher Yield because of more time for money to work.

Risk level: Higher-risk assets usually require higher Yield to compensate for the risk.

Company policies: Dividend payout policies, investment strategies, and management impact the Yield investors receive.

How to calculate basic Yield

For general assets, the basic formula is:

Yield = ((Current price – Purchase price() ÷ Purchase price) × 100%

However, each asset type may have different calculation methods depending on its specific characteristics.

Is Yield the same as Return?

This is where many people get confused:

• Yield = Expected return, excluding price changes of the asset
• Return = Actual return received, including price changes and income

Example: You buy a stock at 100 baht and receive a dividend of 5 baht. )Dividend Yield = 5%(. If the stock price rises to 120 baht, the profit from price increase is 20 baht. So, Actual Return = )5 + 20( / 100 × 100% = 25%

Which assets offer the highest Yield?

There is no single answer suitable for everyone because it depends on:

Stocks: Offer high Yield over the long term, suitable for those tolerant of volatility.

Real estate: Provides Yield from rent and appreciation, suitable for large capital investors.

Mutual funds: Offer diverse Yield depending on investment policies, suitable for risk diversification.

Debt instruments: Offer lower Yield but with lower risk, suitable for those seeking stability.

Digital assets: Offer high Yield but with very high risk, suitable for those with good market understanding.

Summary: Why is understanding Yield important?

Yield is a fundamental tool that helps you make smart investment decisions. Whether investing in stocks, bonds, real estate, or mutual funds, understanding Yield will help you:

• Compare different investment opportunities fairly
• Assess the appropriateness of risk levels
• Plan investments aligned with your financial goals

Investing involves risks, but with knowledge of Yield and systematic analysis, you can reduce risks and increase the chances of generating sustainable income.