CHAPTER 08—RISK AND RATES OF RETURN
If two “normal” or “typical” stocks were combined to form a 2-stock portfolio, the portfolio’s expected return
would be a weighted average of the stocks’ expected returns, but the portfolio’s standard deviation would
probably be greater than the average of the stocks’ standard deviations.
If investors become more risk averse, then (1) the slope of the SML would increase and (2) the required rate of
return on low-beta stocks would increase by more than the required return on high-beta stocks.
An increase in expected inflation, combined with a constant real risk-free rate and a constant market risk
premium, would lead to identical increases in the required returns on a riskless asset and on an average stock,
other things held constant.
8-4 The Relationship Between Risk and Rates of Return
FOFM.BRIG.16.08.04 – The Relationship Between Risk and Rates of Return
United States – BUSPROG.FOFM.BRIG.16.03 – Analytic skills
United States – OH – DISC.FOFM.BRIG.16.07 – Risk and return
Multiple Choice: Conceptual
107. For markets to be in equilibrium, that is, for there to be no strong pressure for prices to depart from their current
levels,
The expected rate of return must be equal to the required rate of return; that is, .
The past realized rate of return must be equal to the expected future rate of return; that is, .
The required rate of return must equal the past realized rate of return; that is, .
All three of the above statements must hold for equilibrium to exist; that is, .
None of these statements is correct.
8-4 The Relationship Between Risk and Rates of Return
FOFM.BRIG.16.08.04 – The Relationship Between Risk and Rates of Return
United States – BUSPROG.FOFM.BRIG.16.03 – Analytic skills
United States – OH – DISC.FOFM.BRIG.16.07 – Risk and return
Multiple Choice: Conceptual
108. Which of the following statements is CORRECT?
When diversifiable risk has been diversified away, the inherent risk that remains is market risk, which is
constant for all stocks in the market.
Portfolio diversification reduces the variability of returns on an individual stock.
Risk refers to the chance that some unfavorable event will occur, and a probability distribution is completely
described by a listing of the likelihoods of unfavorable events.
The SML relates a stock’s required return to its market risk. The slope and intercept of this line cannot be
controlled by the firms’ managers, but managers can influence their firms’ positions on the line by such actions