How-to
How to Compare Scenarios in the Investment History Checker
Scenarios help you test different windows or symbols and compare key metrics side by side. Keep labels clear, change one thing at a time, and export your results.
Published: December 26, 2025 · Updated: December 26, 2025 · By FinToolSuite Editorial
Disclaimer
- Educational purposes only, not financial advice.
- Scenario comparisons are illustrative and depend on inputs and assumptions.
- Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
- Market returns can be negative. See the Privacy Policy for data handling details.
Open the Investment History Checker
Start with one baseline scenario, then add another to compare.
Quick answer
- Run one baseline scenario first.
- Change one variable at a time for clean comparisons.
- Compare return and drawdown together.
- Label scenarios clearly with ticker, dates, and currency.
What a scenario is
A scenario is a saved run with a ticker, date range, and optional principal and contributions. Scenarios let you compare without overwriting your last result.
When to use scenarios
- Compare two tickers on the same date window.
- Compare the same ticker across different start dates.
- Compare principal only vs contributions plan if supported.
- Compare different horizons like 3 years vs 10 years.
Step by step scenario comparison
- Create a baseline scenario (ticker and a date range).
- Duplicate or add a second scenario.
- Change one element (dates or ticker or contribution).
- Run both scenarios.
- Compare summary metrics and scan the chart and yearly table.
- Save labels and export.
What metrics to compare
| Metric | What it tells you | Why it matters in comparisons |
|---|---|---|
| Total return | Overall change | Quick headline |
| CAGR | Smooth yearly growth | Compare across lengths |
| Max drawdown | Worst peak to trough fall | Risk and stress |
| Best year | Strongest calendar year | Concentration |
| Worst year | Weakest calendar year | Downside |
| Yearly table | Year by year returns | Where the story changed |
Pair these with the chart view to see the path of each scenario.
How to label scenarios clearly
Use a simple naming template: Ticker | Start date to End date | Currency | Notes. Example labels (illustrative): ABC | 2015-01-01 to 2020-12-31 | USD | no contributions. DEF | 2018-01-01 to 2023-12-31 | EUR | monthly adds.
Tips: include currency when comparing listings; include whether contributions are used; avoid vague labels like “test 1.”
Common comparison traps
- Changing multiple variables at once.
- Comparing different currencies without noticing.
- Using different date windows and calling it fair.
- Using very short windows.
- Focusing only on total return.
- Ignoring drawdown.
- Forgetting dividends, fees, taxes, inflation may be excluded.
- Cherry picking start dates.
- Mixing price return and total return sources.
- Exporting only one scenario and losing context.
Need a refresher? Read how to use the checker.
Exporting scenario results
Export daily data for spreadsheets and deeper analysis, and export a PDF for a shareable snapshot.
Quick checklist
- [ ] Same currency or clearly noted
- [ ] Same window for cross ticker comparisons
- [ ] Return and drawdown compared together
- [ ] Yearly table scanned for concentration
- [ ] Export saved for record
FAQ preview
Can I compare more than two scenarios?
Yes. Add multiple scenarios with clear labels to review side by side.
Should scenarios use the same dates?
For fairness, keep dates the same unless you are testing different windows on purpose.
Why do scenarios show different currencies?
Each ticker uses its market currency; note it in your labels.
Does principal change percent returns?
No. Percent returns reflect price changes; principal scales the amounts.
Where do exports go?
Use CSV and PDF exports to save your scenarios for later review.
What metrics should I compare?
Look at total return, CAGR, max drawdown, best and worst year, plus the yearly table.
Compare your scenarios now
Run two scenarios, change one variable, and export both for reference.