Question

Consider the following two stocks, A and B. Stock A has an expected return of 10% and a beta of 1.20. Stock B has an expected return of 14% and a beta of 1.80. The expected market rate of return is 9% and the risk-free rate is 5%. Which security would be considered a good buy?

Answer 1

Answer: Stock B

Explanation:

Use CAPM to calculate the required returns of both stocks.

Stock A

Required return = Risk free rate + beta * ( Market return - risk free rate)

= 5% + 1.20 * (9% - 5%)

= 9.8%

Stock B

Required return = 5% + 1.8 * (9% - 5%)

= 12.2%

Both of them have Expected returns that are higher than their Required returns so both of them are good buys.

The better buy would be the one that has more expected value excess over required return.

Stock A excess = 10% - 9.8% = 0.2%

Stock B excess = 14% - 12.2% = 1.8%

Stock B offers a higher excess and is the better buy.