Market return refers to the overall performance or growth of a particular market, sector or index over a specific period. It is usually expressed as an average percentage rate of return and represents how well investments in that market have performed compared to their initial value. Market returns can be used as a benchmark for evaluating the performance of individual securities such as stocks, bonds or mutual funds within that particular market. Investors often use market returns as a measure of whether they are getting a good return on their investments and make decisions based on these rates to either hold onto or sell off their assets.