def total_return(returns):
    """
    Compute total return from simple returns.

    Parameters
    ----------
    returns : pd.Series of periodic returns

    Returns
    -------
    total_returns : array-like
        Series of total returns.
    """
    if len(returns) < 1:
        return returns.copy()
    result = returns.copy()
    result = result.add(1, fill_value=0)
    result = result.prod(skipna=True)
    result = result.add(-1)
    return result
