The Fair Factsheet Standard
What every investment summary should show
If you're paying for an investment, here are 10 things you deserve to see on one page. Do you agree? Share the one you think matters most.
- 1
Returns after all fees
What an investor actually received, shown alongside any before-fee figure.E4E22
Ask the seller. OpenFactsheet can't tell net from gross, so every report asks you to check.
Related trick: Before-fee returns - 2
The full history, and every calendar year
From launch to today, plus each complete calendar year, not a chosen start date.E22
Shown by OpenFactsheet. OpenFactsheet analyzes the whole record you supply and lists every calendar year.
Related trick: The lucky start date - 3
Yearly returns next to any cumulative figure
A total over many years means little without the return per year.E22
Shown by OpenFactsheet. OpenFactsheet shows average yearly growth beside the total.
Related trick: The big cumulative number - 4
The worst fall, and how long it took to recover
The biggest drop from a previous high, when it happened, and the months it took to get back.
Shown by OpenFactsheet. OpenFactsheet reports every drawdown episode: depth, duration and recovery.
Related trick: The big cumulative number - 5
Risk-adjusted return, with the method stated
Return per unit of risk, and exactly how it was calculated.E5E6
Shown by OpenFactsheet. OpenFactsheet always reports risk-adjusted results, with the formula for each.
Related trick: The flattering yardstick - 6
One consistent, relevant benchmark
Something you could have invested in instead, the same one every year and in the legal documents.E22
Shown by OpenFactsheet. OpenFactsheet compares with the benchmark you choose.
Related trick: The flattering yardstick - 7
How reliable the numbers are
Length of the record, signs of smoothing, missing months.E18
Shown by OpenFactsheet. OpenFactsheet checks the data first and labels each figure with a confidence level.
Related trick: The too-smooth line - 8
Whether any of the record is simulated or from before launch
Real money and real investors, or a model, a backtest or a private test run.E11E19
Ask the seller. OpenFactsheet can't see this from returns alone. Ask the seller.
Related trick: The perfect backtest - 9
Total yearly cost in money terms
What a typical amount would pay each year, in your currency, not only as a percentage.E4E12
Ask the seller. OpenFactsheet doesn't assess fees. Ask the seller.
Related trick: Before-fee returns - 10
How the seller is paid for recommending it
Commissions, fees and incentives, stated plainly.E21
Ask the seller. OpenFactsheet can't see this. Ask the seller.
Most of this list, for any investment, in about a minute.
Points 2 to 7 are in every OpenFactsheet report (point 6 when you add a benchmark). For the rest, take the checklist with you and ask. Your money deserves more than a sales pitch.
OpenFactsheet does not name, rate or recommend any investment or firm. The practices described are documented in research and regulation; see Sources.