iLoanCalculator.com

This calculator lets you compare the growth of the three major asset classes - stock, bonds and cash - using historical rates of return between 1934 and 2004. Stocks Represent ownership in a company. While stick returns generally fluctuate more than bonds or cash, they historically have provided the most potential for growth over the long-run. Bonds are loans or debt to a corporation of the government. They usually carry less market risk than stocks, but as income investments, they carry an interest rate risk. This is the risk of the bond's value decreasing as interest rates rise. Cash or cash-equivalent investments are liquid, low interest, low risk vehicles. Examples include money-market accounts, CDs and Treasury Bills.