The Sharpe Ratio and Risk Adjusted Performance

The Sharpe ratio is a measure of risk-adjusted performance that indicates the level of excess return per unit of risk in a Forex Funds returns. In calculating the Sharpe ratio, the excess return is the return over and above the short-term, risk-free rate of return, and this figure is divided by the risk, which is represented by the annualized volatility or standard deviation.

Sharpe Ratio = (R_p – R_f)/ σ_p

In summary, the Sharpe Ratio is equal to the compound annual rate of return minus the return rate on a risk–free investment divided by the annualized monthly standard deviation. The higher the Sharpe ratio, the higher the risk-adjusted return. If 10-year Treasury bonds yield 2%, and two Forex managed account programs have the same performance at the end of each month, the Forex managed account program with the lowest intra-month P&L volatility will have the higher sharpe ratio.

The Sharpe Ratio is an important risk management metric for investors to understand.

The Sharpe Ratio is most often used to measure past performance; however, it can also be used to measure future currency fund returns if projected returns and the risk free rate of return are available.