Final answer:
The investor's rate of return is -5.0%.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the investor's rate of return, we need to find the percentage change in the value of the investment. The investor purchased 50 shares of stock for $1000 and sold them for $950. The percentage change can be calculated using the formula:
Rate of return = ((selling price - purchase price) / purchase price) x 100%
Substituting the values, we get:
Rate of return = (($950 - $1000) / $1000) x 100%
Rate of return = (-$50 / $1000) x 100%
Rate of return = -5.0%