Which investment is better if it earns 5% compounded quarterly instead of 5% simple interest annually?

An investment that earns 5% compounded quarterly is a better option than one earning 5% simple interest annually due to the nature of compounding. Compounding occurs when the interest earned on an investment is reinvested, thus allowing for the interest to generate its own interest over time.

In the case of 5% compounded quarterly, interest is calculated four times a year. This means that after each quarter, interest is added to the principal, and in the subsequent quarter, the interest is calculated on the updated principal amount. As a result, the effective interest earned over the year is more than just the stated 5% because of this continuous growth.

When comparing to simple interest, which is calculated only on the principal amount each year without any reinvestment, the compounded interest provides a greater return on investment over the same period.

Ultimately, the value of the investment at the end of the period will be higher with the compound interest than with simple interest, making the investment compounded quarterly the superior choice. This demonstrates the significant advantage of the time value of money, where the timing of interest compounding can lead to greater wealth accumulation.