Smith Falconer Financial Group
March 24, 2024
Invested Capital vs Book Value
The distinction between invested capital and book value is an important one to make, when understanding one’s investment account performance.
Invested capital depicts the net contributions of an investor to a position in their portfolio.
Book value, in particular for equities and actively managed funds that Smith Falconer Financial Group (SFFG) recommends, depicts the net contributions of an investor to a position in their portfolio, plus any re-invested dividends or fund distributions. Book value is also known as the adjusted cost base (ACB).
Given this, an investment’s book value is increased by more factors than simply contributions. This is to ensure that re-invested dividends or fund distributions are not taxed twice, as book value is how capital gains and losses are calculated in non-registered accounts for income purposes.
However, that is why book value should be used for tax purposes, and not as a performance metric.
To calculate the most accurate performance of an investment, investors should use invested capital and current market value. In routine portfolio reviews with clients, Smith Falconer Financial Group (SFFG) sends out reports, to that end.