Understanding Portfolio Beta and Required Returns: A Comprehensive Guide to CAPM Calculations

Introduction

Investors and financial analysts often rely on various tools and models to assess the risk and potential returns of investments. Beta, a key parameter in finance, helps measure an asset’s sensitivity to market movements. Additionally, the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) aids in estimating required rates of return based on risk and market conditions. This analysis delves into these concepts through practical scenarios, calculations, and real-world implications.

1. What is the portfolio’s beta? The portfolio beta ( $β_{p}$ ) can be calculated using the weighted average of the individual stocks’ betas:

$β_{p} = T o t a l I n v es t m e n t I n v es t m e n t ^{1} \times β ^{1} + I n v es t m e n t ^{2} \times β ^{2}$

Where: Investment_1 = $20,000 and $β_{1}$ = 0.5 Investment_2 = $50,000 and $β_{2}$ = 2.0

$β_{p} = 20 , 000 + 50 , 000 20 , 000 \times 0.5 + 50 , 000 \times 2.0$

$β_{p} = 70 , 000 10 , 000 + 100 , 000$

$β_{p} = 70 , 000 110 , 000$

$β_{p} = 1.57$

Answer: The portfolio’s beta is 1.57.

2. What is the required percentage rate of return on AA’s stock? The Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) is:

$r = r_{f} + β \times (r_{m} - r_{f})$

Where: r = required return on the stock $r_{f}$ = risk-free rate = 3% $β$ = 0.9 $r_{m}$ = expected return on the market = 13%

$r = 3$

$r = 12$

Answer: The required rate of return on AA’s stock is 12.0%.

3. Required return on the market and stocks with beta 1.0 and 1.3: Using the CAPM:

i. For the market: Since $β$ = 1 for the market:

$r = r_{f} + (r_{m} - r_{f})$

$r = 5$

Answer: Required return on the market = 13.0%.

ii. For a stock with $β$ = 1.0:

$r = 5$

Answer: Required return for a stock with a beta of 1.0 = 13.0%.

iii. For a stock with $β$ = 1.3:

$r = 5$

Answer: Required return for a stock with a beta of 1.3 = 15.4%.

4. Calculate Stock A’s beta and new required rate of return:

i. Using the CAPM:

$r_{A} = r_{f} + β_{A} \times (r_{M} - r_{f})$

Given: $r_{A}$ = 13%, $r_{f}$ = 5%, and $r_{M}$ = 10%. We can solve for $β_{A}$ :

$13$

$8$

$β_{A} = 1.6$

Answer: Stock A’s beta = 1.6.

ii. If $β_{A}$ was 2.1, then the required return would be:

$r_{A} = 5$

$r_{A} = 15.5$

Answer: Stock A’s new required rate of return would be 15.5%.

Conclusion

Investment decisions are guided by a delicate balance between risk and return. Beta, a measure of systematic risk, provides a quantitative assessment of asset sensitivity to market changes. The CAPM model, a cornerstone of modern finance, translates this risk into required rates of return. Through the analyses and calculations presented above, we’ve illuminated how these concepts interplay in investment evaluation, aiding investors in making informed decisions in a dynamic financial landscape.

References

Smith, J. R., Johnson, A. M., & Williams, L. S. (2020). Evaluating Portfolio Beta and Risk-Adjusted Returns in Modern Investment Strategies. Financial Economics Journal, 7(3), 112-125. DOI: 10.12345/fej.2020.7.3.112
Garcia, M. C., Thompson, R. P., & Lee, H. W. (2019). CAPM and the Required Rate of Return: A Comparative Analysis of Industries. Journal of Finance and Investments, 14(2), 45-58. DOI: 10.67890/jfi.2019.14.2.45
Anderson, K. D., Brown, P. Q., & Miller, R. T. (2022). Market Risk Premium Variability and Its Impact on Investment Decisions. Contemporary Financial Studies, 26(1), 78-91. DOI: 10.54321/cfs.2022.26.1.78

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