The price of Microsoft is $37 per share and that of Apple is $43 per share. The price of Microsoft increases to $42 per share after one year and to $47 after two years. Also, shares of Apple increase to $49 after one year and to $59 after two years. If your portfolio comprises 100 shares of each security, what is your portfolio return in year 1 and year 2

13.75% ; 16.48%

Explanation:

Year 0:

Microsoft: Current value = 100 at $37 = $3700

Apple: Current value = 100 at $43 = $4300

Portfolio value = $3700 + $4300 = $8000

Year 1:

Microsoft: value at year 1 = 100 at $42 = $4200

Apple: value at year 1= 100 at $49 = $4900

Portfolio value = $4200 + $4900 = $9100

Year 2:

Microsoft: value at year 2 = 100 at $47 = $4700

Apple: value at year 2 = 100 at $59 = $5900

Portfolio value = $4700 + $5900 = $10600

Therefore, Portfolio returns for year 1 will be:

= (value at the end of year 1 / current value) - 1

= (9100 / 8000) - 1

= 1.1375 - 1

= 0.1375

= 13.75%

Portfolio returns for year 2 will be:

= (value at the end of year 2 / value at the end of year 1) - 1

= (10600 / 9100) - 1

= 16.48%