{"id":1184,"date":"2025-05-12T11:25:40","date_gmt":"2025-05-12T11:25:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/?p=1184"},"modified":"2025-05-12T11:25:50","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T11:25:50","slug":"tracking-error-formula-calculation-example","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/tracking-error-formula-calculation-example\/","title":{"rendered":"Tracking Error &#8211; Formula, Calculation &#038; Example"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1188 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Tracking-error-explained-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Tracking Error\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Tracking-error-explained-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Tracking-error-explained-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Tracking-error-explained-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Tracking-error-explained-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Tracking-error-explained-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Generally, tracking error determines the dissimilarity between the price behavior of an index or benchmark and the status of an investment portfolio. To get an advantage from the same in regards to investment portfolio management, one should need to understand the concept of tracking error and how it works.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">If you want to invest in passive funds and index funds, you should have to understand the involved fund&#8217;s tracking error. The tracking error of a mutual fund is as significant as the fund&#8217;s previous performance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Read further to understand what tracking error is, the formula, examples, and the impact it could have on the returns of your mutual fund investment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>What is a Tracking Error?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Tracking error can be defined as the risk ratio of an investment portfolio when set side by side with its benchmark. It helps to evaluate the performance of a specific investment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">It also helps in comparing the performance of how well the investment is doing against a set benchmark over a particular time. As a consequence, it acts as an indicator that helps to determine how well a fund is controlled and what are the risks associated with it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Let&#8217;s understand this in simple words, tracking error can be determined as the difference between an investment portfolio&#8217;s returns and the index it is trying to match or beat returns.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Often tracking errors turn out to be of use in evaluating the performance of portfolio managers and is called active risk and is commonly used for\u00a0 ETFs, or passively managed mutual funds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>How to Calculate a Tracking Error?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Generally, there are two different methods of evaluating tracking error:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>First method<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">To find tracking error, subtract the benchmark\u2019s total returns from the investment portfolio\u2019s returns.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1185\" src=\"https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Add-a-subheading-e1725615481676-300x124.png\" alt=\"Tracking Error Formula\" width=\"500\" height=\"206\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Add-a-subheading-e1725615481676-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Add-a-subheading-e1725615481676-1024x422.png 1024w, https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Add-a-subheading-e1725615481676-768x316.png 768w, https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Add-a-subheading-e1725615481676-1536x633.png 1536w, https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Add-a-subheading-e1725615481676-2048x844.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Second Method<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">The portfolio returns are deducted from the benchmark first. Thereupon, the standard deviation of the outcome is evaluated by making use of this tracking error formula:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1186\" src=\"https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Add-a-subheading-1-e1725615599463-300x83.png\" alt=\"Tracking Error Formula\" width=\"500\" height=\"138\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Add-a-subheading-1-e1725615599463-300x83.png 300w, https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Add-a-subheading-1-e1725615599463-1024x283.png 1024w, https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Add-a-subheading-1-e1725615599463-768x212.png 768w, https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Add-a-subheading-1-e1725615599463-1536x425.png 1536w, https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Add-a-subheading-1-e1725615599463-2048x566.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Example of Tracking Error Calculation<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suppose a technology-focused mutual fund is benchmarked to the Nasdaq-100 index. The returns for both the index and the mutual fund over 4 years are as follows:<\/span><b><\/b><b>Nifty 50 Index Index Returns:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Year 1: 18%<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Year 2: 10%<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Year 3: 15%<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Year 4: 8%<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Mutual Fund Returns:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Year 1: 20%<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Year 2: 12%<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Year 3: 13%<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Year 4: 7%<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Step-by-Step Calculation:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"> Calculate the differences between the mutual fund\u2019s returns and the benchmark\u2019s returns for each year:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Year 1: 20%<\/span><b>&#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">18% = 2%<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Year 2: 12% <\/span><b>&#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10% = 2%<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Year 3: 13% <\/span><b>&#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15% = <\/span><b>&#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2%<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Year 4: 7% <\/span><b>&#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8% = <\/span><b>&#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1%<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> List of differences: 2%, 2%,<\/span><b>&#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2%, <\/span><b>&#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1%<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"> Calculate the standard deviation of these differences:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Standard Deviation = <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3.1875<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">% \u2248 1.79%<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Tracking Error (TE) = 1.79%<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">This example demonstrates how tracking error measures the consistency of a mutual fund&#8217;s returns compared to its benchmark.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Factors Impacting Tracking Error<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Different factors incline to impact the tracking error. For instance, the table underlines the factors that impact the ETF&#8217;s tracking error.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1187\" src=\"https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Definition-1-e1725615747617-300x169.png\" alt=\"Factors Impacting Tracking Error\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Definition-1-e1725615747617-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Definition-1-e1725615747617-1024x577.png 1024w, https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Definition-1-e1725615747617-768x433.png 768w, https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Definition-1-e1725615747617.png 1413w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>What is an Ideal Tracking Error?\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">The\u00a0 investment\u2019s portfolio strategy and style determines whether a tracking error is acceptable or not. Generally, a smaller number signifies tightly bound portfolio earnings against benchmark returns.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Importance of Tracking Error<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">These points show why tracking error is important:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Measuring Performance: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tracking error helps you see how well a portfolio is doing compared to its benchmark or index.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Consistency Check: <\/b>It shows how consistent the portfolio\u2019s returns are.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Simple Comparison: <\/b>It turns the difference between the portfolio and the benchmark into an easy-to-understand number.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Informed Decisions: <\/b>It gives a clear view for making better decisions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Limitations of Tracking Error<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tracking error measures deviation in performance from an index but fails to categorize whether the fund has overperformed or underperformed the benchmark but on its own it is proof of neither. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Generally,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> investors prefer to go with funds that have low tracking errors<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. On the other hand, low tracking error <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">indicates close-synchronous performance with indicies<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> performance. Anyway, tracking errors does not help differentiate between the two immediately.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Final Words<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Tracking error is a useful tool for comparing a fund\u2019s performance to its benchmark. Despite its limitations, it helps in understanding consistency and making informed investment decisions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">So, here comes the end of the article! We hope that you have understood every important element of tracking error.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Please share your thoughts on this post by leaving a reply in the comments section. Contact us via <\/span><a href=\"tel:+91-522-3514141\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Phone<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/wa.me\/+91-7347700888\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> WhatsApp<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or <\/span><a href=\"mailto:customersupport@bfccapital.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Email<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to learn more about mutual funds, or visit our<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Alternatively, you can download the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.bfc_mf.prodigy_app&amp;pcampaignid=web_share\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Prodigy Pro<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> app to start investing today!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"><strong>Disclaimer \u2013<\/strong><em> This article is for educational purposes only and does not intend to substitute expert guidance. Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks. Please read the scheme-related document carefully before investing.\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Generally, tracking error determines the dissimilarity between the price behavior of an index or benchmark and the status of an investment portfolio. To get an advantage from..<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1188,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[749,746,748,405,528,576,115,222,138,15,77,747,394,745,750],"class_list":["post-1184","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-calculating-tracking-error","tag-financial-calculations","tag-formula-for-tracking-error","tag-index-funds","tag-investment-metrics","tag-investment-performance","tag-investment-returns","tag-investment-strategy","tag-investor-education","tag-mutual-funds","tag-portfolio-management","tag-portfolio-tracking","tag-risk-measurement","tag-tracking-error","tag-tracking-error-example"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1184","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1184"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1184\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1189,"href":"https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1184\/revisions\/1189"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1188"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1184"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1184"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bfccapital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1184"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}