The Motley Fool Investment Return Calculations Disclosures

The Motley Fool is in the process of implementing time-weighted, annualized total return calculations for all of its services. Below are descriptions of the various methodologies that are currently being used by each service.

Real-Money Portfolios – Million Dollar Portfolio, Motley Fool Pro, Hidden Gems
The Motley Fool's real money portfolios that are included in this table are Million Dollar Portfolio's Charter Portfolio, Motley Fool Pro, and Hidden Gems' real-money portfolio. The total return is calculated using a time-weighted rate-of-return formula. The returns of the individual stocks are calculated using a simple average, excluding dividends. Dividends are included for both the total portfolio return and the benchmark, the S&P 500 Total Return Index.

Stock Advisor and Rule Breakers
Total average returns are the average of all individual stock recommendations (active and sold) and the average of the S&P 500 Total Return Index, starting from the end of the day we make each recommendation. Both the stock and benchmark returns include reinvested dividends.

Inside Value and Income Investor
The total average return is calculated by taking an average of all the returns for the stock recommendations currently on the scorecard. Dividends are included in the return calculation for the individual stocks, the total average return, and the benchmark, the S&P 500, as measured by the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY), with closing prices adjusted for dividends.

Global Gains
The total average return is calculated by taking an average of all the returns for the stock recommendations currently on the scorecard. Dividends are not included in the return calculation for the individual stocks and the total average return. Dividends are included for the benchmark, the S&P 500, as measured by the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY), with closing prices adjusted for dividends.

Motley Fool Options
The return calculation assumes that a cash investment of nearly equal size is made in each position recommended. In the case of option positions that are established with margin, a cash investment equal to 30% of the required buying power is made. The total performance is calculated using a time-weighted rate-of-return calculation. The stated return is calculated by averaging the returns of both co-Advisors. The returns of the individual recommendations are calculated using a simple average, excluding dividends. Dividends are included for both the total portfolio return and the benchmark, the S&P 500 Total Return Index.