MarsBars Total return and capital appreciation are common measurements of investment performance. While each of those are worthwhile metrics to look at, an oft-overlooked measure is the payback period on an investment. Payback period usually takes a back seat to total returns, but it can be a highly useful tool for investors who prize getting their investment capital back, so that proceeds can be deployed to generate more income, all while the original investment continues to churn out income, resulting in ...