The term "lower returns" refers to a decrease in the amount or value of something, often used in relation to investments. When it comes to investing, lower returns typically mean that an investment has generated less profit than expected or anticipated. This could be due to various factors such as market conditions, poor performance of the underlying asset or security, or other external influences. Lower returns can also indicate a lackluster economic environment where growth is slow and opportunities for high yield are limited. Ultimately, lower returns may result in disappointing financial outcomes for investors who were hoping to achieve higher gains through their investments.