negative returns

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "negative returns" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in financial contexts to describe a situation where an investment results in a loss rather than a profit. Example: "Investors were concerned about the stock market's performance, as many were experiencing negative returns on their investments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some yield negative returns.

The Economist

In many years, funds posted negative returns.

The New York Times

And we had negative returns not too long ago.

Harvard University

Large-, medium- and small-capitalization stock funds all had negative returns, on average.

The New York Times

After seven consecutive years of extraordinary gains, REITs are posting negative returns.

The New York Times

The use of tactics like torture lite must inevitably, they said, deliver negative returns.

The New York Times

2018 was the first year of negative returns for the S&P 500 since 2008.

Columbia University

In addition, we find the treasury bonds deliver significantly negative returns on EA cluster days.

Harvard University

That is why the majority of them had negative returns for the year.

Harvard University

The remaining 7percentt delist for other reasons and experience significantly negative returns.

Columbia University

Negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians have now reached the point of diminishing - even negative - returns.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing investment portfolios, be specific about the time frame when reporting "negative returns". This provides context and helps avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Don't forget to differentiate between real (inflation-adjusted) and nominal "negative returns". Failing to specify which one you're referring to can lead to inaccurate analysis and flawed decision-making.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "negative returns" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or subject in a sentence. According to Ludwig, it is often found in financial or economic contexts, describing losses in investments, funds, or assets.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

26%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

11%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "negative returns" is a common phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig, used to describe financial losses, primarily in investment contexts. Grammatically sound, it appears frequently in news, academic, and business publications. When discussing "negative returns", be precise about the timeframe and differentiate between real and nominal values. Common alternatives include "investment losses" or "poor investment performance". Overall, understanding the proper use of "negative returns" is crucial for clear and accurate financial communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

investment losses

Focuses specifically on losses incurred from investments.

poor investment performance

Highlights the underperformance of an investment.

unprofitable investments

Emphasizes the lack of profit from investments.

loss of capital

Specifically describes the reduction of capital.

declining asset values

Focuses on the decrease in the value of assets.

financial setbacks

Broadly refers to financial difficulties or losses.

diminishing profits

Highlights a decline in profitability.

economic downturn

Refers to a general decline in economic activity.

market decline

Refers to a downturn in the financial market.

adverse financial outcomes

General term for unfavorable financial results.

FAQs

How to use "negative returns" in a sentence?

You can use "negative returns" to describe investments that have lost money over a specific period. For instance, "The fund experienced "negative returns" due to the market downturn."

What is the opposite of "negative returns"?

The opposite of "negative returns" is "positive returns", indicating that an investment has made money.

What does it mean when an investment has "negative returns"?

When an investment has "negative returns", it means the investment has lost money rather than gained value over a specified time period.

Are "negative returns" always bad?

While "negative returns" indicate a loss, they are a normal part of investing, especially in volatile markets. It's important to consider the long-term performance and diversification of your portfolio.