Question

Over the past four years, the annual percentage returns on large-company stocks were 15, 7, 4, and 18%. For the same time period, U.S. Treasury bills produced the returns of 6, 3, 2, and 4 percent. Inflation averaged 2.8% over the four-year period. The average real rate of return on large-company stocks was ___% as compared to _____% for Treasury bills.a. 6.47; .92.
b. 6.47; 1.08.
c. 7.98; .92.
d. 7.98; 1.08.
e. 7.98; 1.22.

Answer 1

Answer:

c. 7.98; .92.

Explanation:

My calculations varied slightly (0.02% and 0.01%), but the error might be a rounding error. Option C is the logical answer since the difference is minimum.

real rate returns from stocks:

15% - 2.8% = 12.2%

7% - 2.8% = 4.2%

4% - 2.8% = 1.2%

18% - 2.8% = 15.2%

average real return = 8.2% arithmetic mean

average real return = 8% geometric mean

real rate returns from US T-bills:

6% - 2.8% = 3.2%

3% - 2.8% = 0.2%

2% - 2.8% = -0.8%

4% - 2.8% = 1.2%

average real return = 0.95% arithmetic mean

average real return = 0.93% geometric mean