What is meant by return on an investment?

by Dr. Gaurav Sinha , Mr. Vinay Kohli · Unit 13 of 100

A return represents the financial gain or loss generated by an investment over a specific period. It reflects the change in the value of the investment, along with any income received in the form of interest, dividends, or capital appreciation. Measuring returns helps investors evaluate the performance of different investment options.

Why is a 0% EMI offer not always completely free? What is the difference between interest and return?