DEFINITION OF 'GROWTH RATES'
The amount of increase that a specific variable has gained within a specific period and context. For investors, this typically represents the compounded annualized rate of growth of a company's revenues, earnings, dividends and even macro concepts - such as the economy as a whole.
Expected forward-looking or trailing growth rates are two common kinds of growth rates used for analysis.
BREAKING DOWN 'GROWTH RATES'
Different types of industries have different benchmarks for rates of growth. For instance, companies that are on the cutting edge of technology would be more likely to have higher annual rates of growth compared to a mature industry, like retail sales.