I posted these questions in a separate thread in OT, but it didn't receive any replies. I know some of you who frequent this thread can answer my questions, so I'll try posting it here:
I have some questions about using Google Finance.
Let me use an example. Here is a link showing the YTD (at close on Friday, 7/25/08) performance of Vanguard's Total Stock Market Index Fund:
link
For the numbers under the "Trailing Total Returns" column - do they include reinvested dividends? Have turnover expenses already been subtracted?
What about the red return number in the top right hand corner of the chart (-12.36%)? Does it include reinvested dividends? Have turnover expenses already been subtracted?
Also, why does the YTD number under the "Trailing Total Returns" heading (-11.60%) not match the return number on the chart itself (-12.36%), even though they both depict the same time range?
Finally, here's an example that shows 2 funds on the same chart:
link
Now the Y axis has switched from showing prices to percentages. Do these percentages include reinvested dividends? Have turnover expenses already been subtracted?
Depending on the actual date you view my post, the YTD numbers on Google Finance may not match up with what I posted above, although my questions would still be valid.