K. Capital Asset Pricing Model
K. Capital Asset Pricing Model
Capital Markets
FIN 3207
Second Semester
A.Y 2024-2025
Submitted by:
Gaac, Fredzy Boy P.
Infante, Louisa Antoinette
Velasco, Cheska Marie R.
Submitted to:
Dr. Antonio E. Casurao, Sr., D.BA
February 2025
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TABLE OF CONTENT
Abstract........................................................................................................ 3
Introduction................................................................................................... 4
Methodology................................................................................................. 7
Conclusion................................................................................................... 21
References.................................................................................................. 23
Plagiarism Report........................................................................................ 26
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ABSTRACT
The Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) is a crucial financial instrument for
calculating risk-based investment returns. It aids investors in evaluating securities
by connecting expected returns to market risk through beta, expected market
return, and the risk-free rate. It is widely utilized in portfolio management and
strategic planning. Notwithstanding its benefits, CAPM has drawbacks, including
ignoring firm-specific risks and depending on assumptions about market efficiency.
A more thorough assessment and decision-making process for investments is
ensured when combining the CAPM with other financial models, even though it
offers a structured approach to risk-adjusted returns.
Keywords: Capital Asset, capital markets, capital asset pricing model, capital
theory, risk-free rate, expected return, expected market return, beta, risk, investing,
cost of equity, portfolio management
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INTRODUCTION
The Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) is one of the most commonly used
tools for estimating returns in the investment industry. CAPM has long played an
important role in portfolio management, investment analysis, and corporate
finance. Its simplicity, with a focus on risk and return, makes it a useful tool for
investors, financial analysts, and corporate decision-makers. CAPM insights are
critical for making a variety of financial decisions, including capital budgeting, asset
allocation, and security valuation.
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component of each factor (for instance, for the size factor, long small stocks and
short large stocks) (Erhardt, 2011).
In light of the introduction of CAPM and its function alongside its difficulties,
it is crucial to assess the assumptions and constraints of CAPM critically while
investigating the nature of CAPM, its purposes, and its application in investment
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portfolios. The purpose of this study is to examine the complexity of CAPM by
addressing it in determining its roots and examining its underlying assumptions
and how market imperfections affect the model's performance.
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METHODOLOGY
1. What is the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), and how does it help in
evaluating the relationship between risk and return in the capital market?
2. What are the key components of the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM),
and how do they contribute to determining the expected return on
investment?
3. How can the CAPM formula be applied to calculate the expected return on
an investment, and what are the steps involved in performing such a
calculation?
4. What are the major assumptions behind CAPM, and what are the criticisms
and limitations of the model in the context of real-world financial analysis?
5. How is the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) applied in real-world
scenarios, especially in determining the cost of equity and making informed
investment decisions?
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
The Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) is one of the most commonly
utilized models for estimating investment returns in the financial industry. In the
book, Chandra (2012) stated that the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) predicts
the relationship between an asset's risk and its expected return. This relationship
is valuable in two key ways. First, it provides a benchmark for evaluating different
investments. For instance, when analyzing security, we can compare its expected
return with the fair return indicated by the CAPM. Second, it allows us to estimate
the return on an asset that has not yet been traded in the market, aiding in more
informed decision-making. CAPM, in essence, is a helpful model for investors to
gauge the level of risks and returns associated with their investment portfolio.
In the 1960s, John Linter and William F. Sharpe created the Capital Asset
Pricing Model (CAPM). This model, which illustrates the connection between
inevitable risk and anticipated return from security, is helpful for calculating the
firm's equity capital cost. It focuses on systematic risk which refers to uncertainties
that investors cannot eliminate such as fluctuations in interest rates, exchange
rates and inflation.Since market prices generally move together, even companies
with weaker performance may see price increases when the overall market is
strong. To compensate for this risk, investors receive risk premiums with higher
premiums required for riskier investments (Sana 2017; Russo, 2024).
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Furthermore, as Girarde (2023) points out, CAPM is widely adopted in the
banking industry and is vital in directing strategic decision-making processes.
Investment bankers and investors frequently use this model to assess the risk and
possible returns of individual investments and estimate how diversified investment
portfolios would perform over time. Financial professionals who incorporate CAPM
into their analytical instrument receive important insights into asset price dynamics
and market risks, allowing them to make informed decisions consistent with their
investment objectives. As a result, CAPM is a core technique that helps evaluate
individual investments and informs broader portfolio management strategies,
providing stakeholders with the tools they need to navigate financial markets
confidently and clearly.
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The equity fee's foundation lies in the risk-free rate, typically determined by
government bonds. This rate represents the minimum return investors expect for
a risk-free investment and serves as a reference point for assessing additional risk
in the stock market. A higher equity risk premium suggests greater potential returns
from stocks compared to risk-free assets, incentivizing investors to take on risk
within their tolerance levels. Calculating the equity risk premium helps investors
gauge the potential additional return compared to the risk-free rate. In the CAPM
approach for calculating the cost of equity, the risk-free rate is the return on risk-
free investments like Treasuries (Kenton, 2024; Harshinidevi and
Harshinidevi,2024).
3.K.2.3 Beta
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Brooks defined nondiversifiable, or systematic risk inherent risk in the
market that cannot be eliminated through diversification. This type of risk is linked
to broader economic and political factors that influence the overall movement of
the economy. The extent to which an individual asset or portfolio moves in relation
to the market is quantified using beta. Beta is a statistical measure that assesses
the volatility of a security relative to the overall market, indicating the degree to
which a security's returns fluctuate in response to market movements. Beta is
determined by calculating the covariance between expected returns on the asset
and the market, divided by the variance of expected returns on the market.
The relationship between beta (β) and the expected market sensitivity is as follows:
•β = 0: No Market Sensitivity
•β < 1: Low Market Sensitivity
•β = 1: Same as Market (Neutral)
•β > 1: High Market Sensitivity
•β < 0: Negative Market Sensitivity
The expected market return refers to the anticipated percentage gain or loss
from a broad market index over a specific period. It serves as a key component in
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financial models like the CAPM which help investors assess potential return based
on risk exposure. In CAPM, it represents the overall performance of the stock
market and is often estimated using historical data indices like the S&P 500. This
return includes both capital appreciation and dividend income. Investors use it as
a benchmark to compare individual investment returns and assess whether the
additional risk taken is justified (Lazaroff & Lazaroff, 2024).
3.K.3.1 Assumptions
Developed by William F. Sharpe and John Lintner in the 1960s, the Capital
Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) serves as a valuable tool for assessing a firm's cost
of Equity Capital, illustrating the link between inherent risk and anticipated returns
from security. This model operates under several key assumptions: highly efficient
capital markets, no individual investor possessing market influence, uniform
expectations regarding risk and return among investors, minimal investment
constraints, and the presence of two investment options, risk-free securities, and
market portfolios comprised of common stocks (Sana et. al., 2017).
Several books and articles emphasized that the Capital Asset Pricing Model
(CAPM) is built upon several key assumptions that help simplify the analysis of
investment returns. These assumptions include the notion that investors are
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rational and make decisions based on expected returns and risks (Reilly et al,
2020; Indeed Editorial team, 2024; Kenton, 2024).
Reilly et. al (2020) emphasized this assumption stating that any amount of
money can be borrowed or lent by investors at the risk-free return (RFR).
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(Obviously, purchasing risk-free securities, like government T-bills, always makes
it possible to lend money at the nominal risk-free rate; however, we will see that
assuming a higher borrowing rate does not change the general results.)
According to Reilly et. al. (2020), This assumption tells that all investors
have the same one-period time horizon, such as one month or one year. The model
will be developed for a single hypothetical period, and its results may be influenced
by a different assumption, as it requires investors to derive risk measures and risk-
free assets that correspond to their investment horizons.
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comprehensive data helps investors assess risks and rewards more effectively,
contributing to sound investment strategies (Indeed Editorial Team, 2024).
There is more to the Capital Asset Pricing Model than the theoretical
concepts found in textbooks. Analysts, investors, and corporations use it
extensively because of its high level of intuitive appeal. However, its validity has
been called into question by several recent studies.
Assumptions
The formula only works if we believe that rational actors dominate the
market and make decisions based only on investment returns. However, this is
only sometimes the case. Furthermore, the model implies that all market
participants act on the same information. The necessary data is not evenly
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distributed to the public; thus, some actors may judge based on information others
do not have (Girardin, 2023).
Limitations
According to Yogi (2023), the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) has a
number of limitations, including the need for consensus on the rate of return and
the selection of one. In addition, the market return uses historical data in a similar
manner and anticipates positive returns. This also holds true for the beta, which is
only available for publicly traded companies. Furthermore, the beta only considers
systematic risk; it does not account for the risk that companies face in various
markets. Among other assumptions, it must be assumed that investors will have
unrestricted access to the risk-free rate of borrowing.
According to Girardin (2023), Another major issue with the capital asset
pricing model is its reliance on beta as a critical component of the methods. Beta
means that positive or negative changes in a stock's price imply volatility and
market sensitivity. However, a stock's price might fluctuate for causes other than
the market. Stock prices may rise or decrease for intentional causes rather than
just due to volatility.
In this regard, beta ignores the fact that price fluctuations in either direction
carry equal risk. Furthermore, focusing on a specific time frame for risk
assessment ignores the fact that returns and risk do not spread equally over time.
Beta coefficients for investments fluctuate over time. Beta coefficient values for
publicly traded companies are calculated on a regular basis and made available to
investors, but they do not remain constant. This adds uncertainty to the process of
calculating the rate of return on an investment. (Cautero, 2023).
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Several studies have also revealed no historical correlation between the
returns of stocks and their market betas, supporting a long-held belief among some
academics and stock market analysts. Researchers and practitioners are creating
models with more explanatory variables than just beta as an alternative to the
conventional CAPM. These multi-factor models are an appealing extension of the
classic CAPM model's finding that asset pricing is driven by market risk, or risk that
cannot be mitigated by diversification. While the CAPM only measures risk in
relation to market portfolio returns, the multi-variable models assume that risk is
caused by a variety of factors, such as firm size, market/book ratios, liquidity
measures, and the like. Although the multi-variable models are a potentially
significant advancement in finance theory, their practical application is not without
flaws. As a result, the basic CAPM is still the most widely used method for thinking
about required rates of return on stocks (Erhardt & Brigham, 2011; Chen et. al,
2022).
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Relies on Historical Data
The Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) is primarily used to determine the
cost of equity, as it focuses on the relationship between systematic risk and
expected returns for equity investments. The calculation for CAPM is generally
utilized in the business landscape as it is crucial in the calculation of the Weighted
Average Cost of Capital that is also used in determining the cost of equity. Below
is the formula for calculating the CAPM:
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Caselet #1
Given Data:
(Rf): 4% or 0.04
(βi): 1.5 (Indicating the stock is 50% more volatile than the market)
(E(Rm)): 10% or 0.10 (Based on historical market performance)
Using CAPM, Anna calculates that the expected return on Andreison Corp’s
stock is 13%. If Andreison Corp’s stock is offering a return lower than this, it may
not be an attractive investment given the risk level. Conversely, if its actual return
is higher, it may be a good opportunity.
Caselet #2
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Given Data:
(Rf): 5% or 0.05
(βi): 1.2
The calculated cost of equity for ABC Manufacturing is 13.4%, meaning that
investors expect at least this return to compensate for the stock’s level of risk. This
rate will be used in capital budgeting to assess whether potential investments can
generate returns higher than 13.4%, ensuring that they add value to the company.
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CONCLUSION
The Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) remains to be one of the most
influential and widely used financial models for forecasting investment returns and
risk. CAPM is an important tool for investors, financial analysts, and banking
professionals to use when evaluating securities and making informed investment
decisions because it defines the relationship between an asset's expected return
and its level of risk. It establishes a standardized benchmark for comparing
investment opportunities, ensuring that potential returns match the associated
risks. Furthermore, CAPM enables investors to forecast returns on assets that
have not yet been actively traded in the market, making it an important model for
strategic financial planning and portfolio management.
The model's broad use, especially in the banking industry, emphasizes how
crucial it is for directing investment strategies and evaluating the long-term
performance of diversified portfolios. Financial experts use CAPM to assess
market risks, analyze asset price dynamics, and match investment decisions with
long-term financial goals. By combining important elements like beta, expected
market return, and risk-free rate, CAPM assists investors in figuring out the right
return needed to offset the degree of risk associated with an asset. More accurate
financial decision-making is made possible by this analytical method, which lowers
uncertainty in investment choices.
While the CAPM offers significant aid to investors, it is also important to take
into account that CAPM has a number of limitations despite its effectiveness. A
number of theoretical presumptions form the basis of the model, including the
existence of efficient capital markets, consistent investor expectations, and
unfettered access to risk-free borrowing. These presumptions might not always
accurately represent actual circumstances, which could affect how accurate
CAPM's forecasts are. Furthermore, there are issues with using beta as a gauge
of systematic risk and estimating market returns based solely on historical data.
Specifically, beta only takes into account market-related risks; firm-specific risks
that could impact an asset's performance are not taken into account. Because of
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this restriction, CAPM is less useful for evaluating investments in businesses that
are involved in highly specialized or volatile industries.
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Ehrhardt, M., & Brigham, E. (2011). Financial Management: Theory and Practice
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PLAGIARISM REPORT
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