Consumption CAPM

When we recently examined Intertemporal Capital Asset Pricing Model (I-CAPM), we understood it to be an extension of CAPM in which investors establish additional portfolios to hedge specific risks representing short-term idiosyncratic tastes and preferences. Typical examples of these specific risks include inflation, job loss, economic downturn, etc. The model is somewhat incomplete, in that it doesn’t specify how to arrive at the proper factors to quantify these additional hedges. Another approach, called the Consumption CAPM (C-CAPM) posits a single additional hedge portfolio based on consumption risk, which is a hedge against future consumption rates.

Click here for reuse options!
Copyright 2011 Eric Bank, Freelance Writer

05 Feb

Eric Bank Posted in Documenting the Search for Alpha No comments

Arbitrage Pricing Theory – Part One

Arbitrage Pricing Theory (APT) is a multi-factor model conceived by Stephen Ross in 1976. It is a linear equation in which a series of input variables, such as economic indicators and market indices, are each assigned their own betas to determine the expected return of a target asset. These factor-specific betas (b) fine-tune the sensitivity of the target asset’s rate of return to the particular factor.

Click here for reuse options!
Copyright 2011 Eric Bank, Freelance Writer

07 Jan

Eric Bank Posted in Documenting the Search for Alpha No comments

Capital Asset Pricing Model, Part One – Normal Distribution

[icopyright horizontal toolbar]

We left off last time showing how the Security Characteristic Line indicates the beta of an asset under Harry Markowitz’s Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT). We are now ready to discuss asset pricing models, and we’ll begin by documenting the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). This model was developed in the 1960’s by several independent researchers, including Sharpe, Treynor, Lintner and Mossin, building on Markowitz’s previous work.

CAPM is an equation that indicates the required rate of return (ROR) one should demand for holding a risky asset as part of a diversified portfolio, based on the asset’s beta. If CAPM indicates a rate of return that is different from that predicted using other criteria (such as P/E ratios or stock charts), then one should, in theory, buy or sell the asset depending on the relationship of the different estimates. For instance, if stock charting indicates that the ROR on Asset A should be 13% but CAPM estimates only a 9% ROR, one should sell or short the asset, which cumulatively should drive the price of Asset A down. Continue reading “Capital Asset Pricing Model, Part One – Normal Distribution” »

27 Dec

Eric Bank Posted in Documenting the Search for Alpha No comments

Rate of Return

[icopyright horizontal toolbar]

If you have been following our recent blogs, you are by now familiar with the concepts of alpha, beta, and the Efficient Market Hypothesis. Our final goal is to evaluate the role of alpha in hedge fund investing, and to look at trading strategies that do not rely on alpha. Before we can discuss these topics, we need to better understand financial asset pricing models, the role of alpha and beta within these models, and how the models apply specifically to hedge funds. In this installment, we’ll review the concept of rate of return (ROR).

Continue reading “Rate of Return” »