Example One way to look at absolute return versus relative return is in the context of a market cycle, such as bull versus bear. In a bull market, 2% would be seen as a horrible return.

During 1Q 2025, the Voya Global Perspectives Market Models: MF Series delivered mixed absolute and negative relative returns. U.S. stocks fell due to policy uncertainty and artificial intelligence ...

Relative performance is the comparison of the returns of your portfolio to that of some benchmark index. Absolute performance is the return of the portfolio itself on a year-over-year basis.

The first observation is that in purely absolute terms one does not need much to survive. As long as there are plenty of calories (yes – lots of sugary foods), water to drink and cook, no ...