First we have to calculate funds available after all charges:
Front load is charges at the beginning of the investment
a) Front load 4% = $16,000 (1- 0.04) = $15,360 (net amount available for investment)
b) Interest earned 9% on net investment, then our gross investment earnings will be: $15,360(1.09) = $16,742.40
Now, we have to calculate the charges on year-end assets (i.e. $16,742.40):
c) 1% management fee and 12b-1 fee 0.25%= 1+0.25 = 1.025%
So, our net investment earnings after these charges on year-end assets:
$16,742.40(1-0.0125) = $16,533.12 (Net Income)
Net annual rate of return
($16,533.12/$16,000)-1 = 3.33%