diff --git a/tests/test_perf_tracking.py b/tests/test_perf_tracking.py
index 2a46bf83..6a62a184 100644
--- a/tests/test_perf_tracking.py
+++ b/tests/test_perf_tracking.py
@@ -1270,3 +1270,8 @@ class TestPerformanceTracker(unittest.TestCase):
                               msg_1['minute_perf']['period_close'])
             self.assertEquals(foo_event_2.dt,
                               msg_2['minute_perf']['period_close'])
+
+            # Ensure that a Sharpe value for cumulative metrics is being
+            # created.
+            self.assertIsNotNone(msg_1['cumulative_risk_metrics']['sharpe'])
+            self.assertIsNotNone(msg_2['cumulative_risk_metrics']['sharpe'])
diff --git a/zipline/finance/performance/tracker.py b/zipline/finance/performance/tracker.py
index 58dc6de4..154ec88d 100644
--- a/zipline/finance/performance/tracker.py
+++ b/zipline/finance/performance/tracker.py
@@ -114,7 +114,8 @@ class PerformanceTracker(object):
 
             self.cumulative_risk_metrics = \
                 risk.RiskMetricsCumulative(self.sim_params,
-                                           returns_frequency='daily')
+                                           returns_frequency='daily',
+                                           create_first_day_stats=True)
 
             self.minute_performance = PerformancePeriod(
                 # initial cash is your capital base.
diff --git a/zipline/finance/risk/cumulative.py b/zipline/finance/risk/cumulative.py
index a13c8603..3b06c96e 100644
--- a/zipline/finance/risk/cumulative.py
+++ b/zipline/finance/risk/cumulative.py
@@ -84,7 +84,9 @@ class RiskMetricsCumulative(object):
         'information',
     )
 
-    def __init__(self, sim_params, returns_frequency=None):
+    def __init__(self, sim_params,
+                 returns_frequency=None,
+                 create_first_day_stats=False):
         """
         - @returns_frequency allows for configuration of the whether
         the benchmark and algorithm returns are in units of minutes or days,
@@ -114,6 +116,8 @@ class RiskMetricsCumulative(object):
 
         self.sim_params = sim_params
 
+        self.create_first_day_stats = create_first_day_stats
+
         if returns_frequency is None:
             returns_frequency = self.sim_params.emission_rate
 
@@ -175,6 +179,12 @@ class RiskMetricsCumulative(object):
         self.algorithm_returns_cont[dt] = algorithm_returns
         self.algorithm_returns = self.algorithm_returns_cont.valid()
 
+        if self.create_first_day_stats:
+            if len(self.algorithm_returns) == 1:
+                self.algorithm_returns = pd.Series(
+                    {'null return': 0.0}).append(
+                    self.algorithm_returns)
+
         self.mean_returns = pd.rolling_mean(self.algorithm_returns,
                                             window=len(self.algorithm_returns),
                                             min_periods=1)
@@ -184,6 +194,19 @@ class RiskMetricsCumulative(object):
         self.benchmark_returns_cont[dt] = benchmark_returns
         self.benchmark_returns = self.benchmark_returns_cont.valid()
 
+        if self.create_first_day_stats:
+            if len(self.benchmark_returns) == 1:
+                self.benchmark_returns = pd.Series(
+                    {'null return': 0.0}).append(
+                    self.benchmark_returns)
+
+        self.mean_benchmark_returns = pd.rolling_mean(
+            self.benchmark_returns,
+            window=len(self.benchmark_returns),
+            min_periods=1)
+
+        self.annualized_benchmark_returns = self.mean_benchmark_returns * 252
+
         self.num_trading_days = len(self.algorithm_returns)
 
         self.update_compounded_log_returns()
@@ -239,6 +262,19 @@ algorithm_returns ({algo_count}) in range {start} : {end} on {dt}"
         self.metrics.information[dt] = self.calculate_information()
         self.max_drawdown = self.calculate_max_drawdown()
 
+        if self.create_first_day_stats:
+            # Remove placeholder 0 return
+            if 'null return' in self.algorithm_returns:
+                self.algorithm_returns = self.algorithm_returns.drop(
+                    'null return')
+                self.algorithm_returns.index = pd.to_datetime(
+                    self.algorithm_returns.index)
+            if 'null return' in self.benchmark_returns:
+                self.benchmark_returns = self.benchmark_returns.drop(
+                    'null return')
+                self.benchmark_returns.index = pd.to_datetime(
+                    self.benchmark_returns.index)
+
     def to_dict(self):
         """
         Creates a dictionary representing the state of the risk report.