What is the definition of return on investment (ROI)?

Return on investment (ROI) is fundamentally a metric of investment profitability. It quantifies the amount of return on an investment relative to the investment’s cost, enabling stakeholders to assess how effectively their money is being utilized in generating profit. The calculation typically involves dividing the net profit of the investment by the initial cost and multiplying by 100 to express it as a percentage. This metric is crucial for investors and businesses when making decisions about where to allocate resources, as it provides a clear and concise way to compare the profitability of different investments.

The other options do not align with the definition of ROI. Employee performance is measured through various human resource metrics and is not directly connected to investment analysis. Similarly, operational costs pertain to the expenses incurred in the process of running a business and are distinct from the profitability aspect focused on by ROI. Market share is a reflection of a company’s sales performance relative to competitors in the market, which does not directly assess the return earned on invested capital.