Final answer:
The arithmetic average return of stocks ABC and XYZ over the given five-year period is each 10%, calculated by summing their individual yearly returns and dividing by the number of years.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the arithmetic average return on stocks ABC and XYZ over the sample period, you need to sum up the individual yearly returns for each stock and then divide by the number of years. For ABC, the sum is (20% + 12% + 14% + 3% + 1%) = 50%. For XYZ, the sum is (30% + 12% + 18% + 0% - 10%) = 50%. To find the average, divide each sum by the number of years.
Arithmetic average return for ABC: 50% / 5 = 10%
Arithmetic average return for XYZ: 50% / 5 = 10%
This calculation shows that, despite the fluctuations in annual returns, both stocks ABC and XYZ have the same arithmetic average return over five years.