Trailing vs Rolling

[Guest hitt24]

Could someone please explain to me the difference between rolling and trailing returns?

[four01kman]

Trailing returns are the returns for past specific periods; for example, as of a specific date the most recent year-to-date, 1 year, 3 year, etc. returns.

Rolling returns are the returns for periods of time measured from a specific date or period; for example, the returns for five year calendar periods starting with 1925. This would produce returns for calendar years 1925 through 1929, 1926 through 1930, 1927 through 1931 ... 1997 through 2001, etc. As you can see, the returns roll through the periods.