Simple interest calculates earnings or payments based solely on the initial principal, while compound interest grows by calculating interest on both the principal and the accumulated interest over ...

Capital at risk. The value of your investments can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Compounding is a process where interest is credited, not only to the original ‘principal’ ...

Simple interest is paid only on the principal, e.g., a $10,000 investment at 5% yields $500 annually. Compound interest accumulates on both principal and past interest, increasing total returns over ...