Question 1

The standard deviation is a better measure of risk than the coefficient of variation if the expected returns of the securities being compared differ significantly.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

Which of the following statements is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

A)  The slope of the security market line is equal to the market risk premium. 
B)  Lower beta stocks have higher required returns. 
C)  A stock's beta indicates its diversifiable risk. 
D)  Diversifiable risk cannot be completely diversified away. 
E)  Two securities with the same stand-alone risk must have the same betas. 
A)  The slope of the security market line is equal to the market risk premium. 
B)  Lower beta stocks have higher required returns. 
C)  A stock's beta indicates its diversifiable risk. 
D)  Diversifiable risk cannot be completely diversified away. 
E)  Two securities with the same stand-alone risk must have the same betas.

Question 3

The CAPM is a multi-period model that takes account of differences in securities' maturities, and it can be used to determine the required rate of return for any given level of systematic risk.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

Assume that two investors each hold a portfolio, and that portfolio is their only asset. Investor A's portfolio has a beta of minus 2.0, while Investor B's portfolio has a beta of plus 2.0. Assuming that the unsystematic risks of the stocks in the two portfolios are the same, then the two investors face the same amount of risk. However, the holders of either portfolio could lower their risks, and by exactly the same amount, by adding some "normal" stocks with beta = 1.0.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Portfolio A has but one stock, while Portfolio B consists of all stocks that trade in the market, each held in proportion to its market value. Because of its diversification, Portfolio B will by definition be riskless.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Stock A has a beta of 0.8, Stock B has a beta of 1.0, and Stock C has a beta of 1.2. Portfolio P has equal amounts invested in each of the three stocks. Each of the stocks has a standard deviation of 25%. The returns on the three stocks are independent of one another (i.e., the correlation coefficients all equal zero). Assume that there is an increase in the market risk premium, but the risk-free rate remains unchanged. Which of the following statements is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

A)  The required return of all stocks will remain unchanged since there was no change in their betas. 
B)  The required return on Stock A will increase by less than the increase in the market risk premium, while the required return on Stock C will increase by more than the increase in the market risk premium. 
C)  The required return on the average stock will remain unchanged, but the returns of riskier stocks (such as Stock 
C)  will increase while the returns of safer stocks (such as Stock 
A)  will decrease. 
D)  The required returns on all three stocks will increase by the amount of the increase in the market risk premium. 
E)  The required return on the average stock will remain unchanged, but the returns on riskier stocks (such as Stock 
C)  will decrease while the returns on safer stocks (such as Stock 
A)  will increase. 
A)  The required return of all stocks will remain unchanged since there was no change in their betas. 
B)  The required return on Stock A will increase by less than the increase in the market risk premium, while the required return on Stock C will increase by more than the increase in the market risk premium. 
C)  The required return on the average stock will remain unchanged, but the returns of riskier stocks (such as Stock 
C)  will increase while the returns of safer stocks (such as Stock 
A)  will decrease. 
D)  The required returns on all three stocks will increase by the amount of the increase in the market risk premium. 
E)  The required return on the average stock will remain unchanged, but the returns on riskier stocks (such as Stock 
C)  will decrease while the returns on safer stocks (such as Stock 
A)  will increase.

Question 7

Stock A has an expected return of 10% and a standard deviation of 20%. Stock B has an expected return of 13% and a standard deviation of 30%. The risk-free rate is 5% and the market risk premium, rM − rRF, is 6%. Assume that the market is in equilibrium. Portfolio AB has 50% invested in Stock A and 50% invested in Stock B. The returns of Stock A and Stock B are independent of one another, i.e., the correlation coefficient between them is zero. Which of the following statements is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

A)  Stock A's beta is 0.8333. 
B)  Since the two stocks have zero correlation, Portfolio AB is riskless. 
C)  Stock B's beta is 1.0000. 
D)  Portfolio AB's required return is 11%. 
E)  Portfolio AB's standard deviation is 25%. 
A)  Stock A's beta is 0.8333. 
B)  Since the two stocks have zero correlation, Portfolio AB is riskless. 
C)  Stock B's beta is 1.0000. 
D)  Portfolio AB's required return is 11%. 
E)  Portfolio AB's standard deviation is 25%.

Question 8

In a portfolio of three randomly selected stocks, which of the following could NOT be true, i.e., which statement is false?

Accepted Answer

A)  The riskiness of the portfolio is less than the riskiness of each of the stocks if they were held in isolation. 
B)  The riskiness of the portfolio is greater than the riskiness of one or two of the stocks. 
C)  The beta of the portfolio is lower than the lowest of the three betas. 
D)  The beta of the portfolio is higher than the highest of the three betas. 
E)  The beta of the portfolio is calculated as a weighted average of the individual stocks' betas. 
A)  The riskiness of the portfolio is less than the riskiness of each of the stocks if they were held in isolation. 
B)  The riskiness of the portfolio is greater than the riskiness of one or two of the stocks. 
C)  The beta of the portfolio is lower than the lowest of the three betas. 
D)  The beta of the portfolio is higher than the highest of the three betas. 
E)  The beta of the portfolio is calculated as a weighted average of the individual stocks' betas.

Question 9

Mikkelson Corporation's stock had a required return of 11.75% last year, when the risk-free rate was 5.50% and the market risk premium was 4.75%. Then an increase in investor risk aversion caused the market risk premium to rise by 2%. The risk-free rate and the firm's beta remain unchanged. What is the company's new required rate of return? (Hint: First calculate the beta, then find the required return.)

Accepted Answer

A)  14.38% 
B)  14.74% 
C)  15.11% 
D)  15.49% 
E)  15.87% 
A)  14.38% 
B)  14.74% 
C)  15.11% 
D)  15.49% 
E)  15.87%

Question 10

CCC Corp has a beta of 1.5 and is currently in equilibrium. The required rate of return on the stock is 12.00% versus a required return on an average stock of 10.00%. Now the required return on an average stock increases by 30.0% (not percentage points). Neither betas nor the risk-free rate change. What would CCC's new required return be?

Accepted Answer

A)  14.89% 
B)  15.68% 
C)  16.50% 
D)  17.33% 
E)  18.19% 
A)  14.89% 
B)  15.68% 
C)  16.50% 
D)  17.33% 
E)  18.19%

Question 11

If you plotted the returns on a given stock against those of the market, and if you found that the slope of the regression line was negative, the CAPM would indicate that the required rate of return on the stock should be greater than the risk-free rate for a well-diversified investor, assuming that the observed relationship is expected to continue into the future.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

If investors are risk averse and hold only one stock, we can conclude that the required rate of return on a stock whose standard deviation is 0.21 will be greater than the required return on a stock whose standard deviation is 0.10. However, if stocks are held in portfolios, it is possible that the required return could be higher on the stock with the lower standard deviation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a potential problem when estimating and using betas, i.e., which statement is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

A)  The fact that a security or project may not have a past history that can be used as the basis for calculating beta. 
B)  Sometimes, during a period when the company is undergoing a change such as toward more leverage or riskier assets, the calculated beta will be drastically different from the "true" or "expected future" beta. 
C)  The beta of an "average stock," or "the market," can change over time, sometimes drastically. 
D)  Sometimes the past data used to calculate beta do not reflect the likely risk of the firm for the future because conditions have changed. 
E)  The beta coefficient of a stock is normally found by regressing past returns on a stock against past market returns. This calculated historical beta may differ from the beta that exists in the future. 
A)  The fact that a security or project may not have a past history that can be used as the basis for calculating beta. 
B)  Sometimes, during a period when the company is undergoing a change such as toward more leverage or riskier assets, the calculated beta will be drastically different from the "true" or "expected future" beta. 
C)  The beta of an "average stock," or "the market," can change over time, sometimes drastically. 
D)  Sometimes the past data used to calculate beta do not reflect the likely risk of the firm for the future because conditions have changed. 
E)  The beta coefficient of a stock is normally found by regressing past returns on a stock against past market returns. This calculated historical beta may differ from the beta that exists in the future.

Question 14

Stock A has a beta of 0.7, whereas Stock B has a beta of 1.3. Portfolio P has 50% invested in both A and B. Which of the following would occur if the market risk premium increased by 1% but the risk-free rate remained constant?

Accepted Answer

A)  The required return on Portfolio P would increase by 1%. 
B)  The required return on both stocks would increase by 1%. 
C)  The required return on Portfolio P would remain unchanged. 
D)  The required return on Stock A would increase by more than 1%, while the return on Stock B would increase by less than 1%. 
E)  The required return for Stock A would fall, but the required return for Stock B would increase. 
A)  The required return on Portfolio P would increase by 1%. 
B)  The required return on both stocks would increase by 1%. 
C)  The required return on Portfolio P would remain unchanged. 
D)  The required return on Stock A would increase by more than 1%, while the return on Stock B would increase by less than 1%. 
E)  The required return for Stock A would fall, but the required return for Stock B would increase.

Question 15

Assume that to cool off the economy and decrease expectations for inflation, the Federal Reserve tightened the money supply, causing an increase in the risk-free rate, rRF. Investors also became concerned that the Fed's actions would lead to a recession, and that led to an increase in the market risk premium, (rM - rRF). Under these conditions, with other things held constant, which of the following statements is most correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  The required return on all stocks would increase by the same amount. 
B)  The required return on all stocks would increase, but the increase would be greatest for stocks with betas of less than 1.0. 
C)  Stocks' required returns would change, but so would expected returns, and the result would be no change in stocks' prices. 
D)  The prices of all stocks would decline, but the decline would be greatest for high-beta stocks. 
E)  The prices of all stocks would increase, but the increase would be greatest for high-beta stocks. 
A)  The required return on all stocks would increase by the same amount. 
B)  The required return on all stocks would increase, but the increase would be greatest for stocks with betas of less than 1.0. 
C)  Stocks' required returns would change, but so would expected returns, and the result would be no change in stocks' prices. 
D)  The prices of all stocks would decline, but the decline would be greatest for high-beta stocks. 
E)  The prices of all stocks would increase, but the increase would be greatest for high-beta stocks.

Question 16

The slope of the SML is determined by the value of beta.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Suppose you hold a portfolio consisting of a $10,000 investment in each of 8 different common stocks. The portfolio's beta is 1.25. Now suppose you decided to sell one of your stocks that has a beta of 1.00 and to use the proceeds to buy a replacement stock with a beta of 1.35. What would the portfolio's new beta be?

Accepted Answer

A)  1.17 
B)  1.23 
C)  1.29 
D)  1.36 
E)  1.43 
A)  1.17 
B)  1.23 
C)  1.29 
D)  1.36 
E)  1.43

Question 18

The risk-free rate is 6%; Stock A has a beta of 1.0; Stock B has a beta of 2.0; and the market risk premium, rM − rRF, is positive. Which of the following statements is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

A)  If the risk-free rate increases but the market risk premium stays unchanged, Stock B's required return will increase by more than Stock A's. 
B)  Stock B's required rate of return is twice that of Stock A. 
C)  If Stock A's required return is 11%, then the market risk premium is 5%. 
D)  If Stock B's required return is 11%, then the market risk premium is 5%. 
E)  If the risk-free rate remains constant but the market risk premium increases, Stock A's required return will increase by more than Stock B's. 
A)  If the risk-free rate increases but the market risk premium stays unchanged, Stock B's required return will increase by more than Stock A's. 
B)  Stock B's required rate of return is twice that of Stock A. 
C)  If Stock A's required return is 11%, then the market risk premium is 5%. 
D)  If Stock B's required return is 11%, then the market risk premium is 5%. 
E)  If the risk-free rate remains constant but the market risk premium increases, Stock A's required return will increase by more than Stock B's.

Question 19

"Risk aversion" implies that investors require higher expected returns on riskier than on less risky securities.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Dothan Inc.'s stock has a 25% chance of producing a 30% return, a 50% chance of producing a 12% return, and a 25% chance of producing a -18% return. What is the firm's expected rate of return?

Accepted Answer

A)  7.72% 
B)  8.12% 
C)  8.55% 
D)  9.00% 
E)  9.50% 
A)  7.72% 
B)  8.12% 
C)  8.55% 
D)  9.00% 
E)  9.50%

The standard deviation is a better measure of risk than the coefficient of variation if the expected returns of the securities being compared differ significantly.

Which of the following statements is CORRECT?

The CAPM is a multi-period model that takes account of differences in securities' maturities, and it can be used to determine the required rate of return for any given level of systematic risk.

Portfolio A has but one stock, while Portfolio B consists of all stocks that trade in the market, each held in proportion to its market value. Because of its diversification, Portfolio B will by definition be riskless.

In a portfolio of three randomly selected stocks, which of the following could NOT be true, i.e., which statement is false?

Which of the following is NOT a potential problem when estimating and using betas, i.e., which statement is FALSE?

Stock A has a beta of 0.7, whereas Stock B has a beta of 1.3. Portfolio P has 50% invested in both A and B. Which of the following would occur if the market risk premium increased by 1% but the risk-free rate remained constant?

The slope of the SML is determined by the value of beta.

The risk-free rate is 6%; Stock A has a beta of 1.0; Stock B has a beta of 2.0; and the market risk premium, rM − rRF, is positive. Which of the following statements is CORRECT?

"Risk aversion" implies that investors require higher expected returns on riskier than on less risky securities.

Dothan Inc.'s stock has a 25% chance of producing a 30% return, a 50% chance of producing a 12% return, and a 25% chance of producing a -18% return. What is the firm's expected rate of return?

Overview

Financial Markets

Financial Statements

Statement Analysis

Time Value of Money

Interest Rates

Bonds

Stocks

Cost of Capital

Capital Budgeting

Cash Flow and Risk

Real Options

Capital Structure

Dividends

Working Capital

Forecasting

Derivatives

Multinational

Hybrid Financing

Mergers

Filters

Exam 8: Risk and Return

The standard deviation is a better measure of risk than the coefficient of variation if the expected returns of the securities being compared differ significantly.

Which of the following statements is CORRECT?

The CAPM is a multi-period model that takes account of differences in securities' maturities, and it can be used to determine the required rate of return for any given level of systematic risk.

Portfolio A has but one stock, while Portfolio B consists of all stocks that trade in the market, each held in proportion to its market value. Because of its diversification, Portfolio B will by definition be riskless.

In a portfolio of three randomly selected stocks, which of the following could NOT be true, i.e., which statement is false?

Which of the following is NOT a potential problem when estimating and using betas, i.e., which statement is FALSE?

Stock A has a beta of 0.7, whereas Stock B has a beta of 1.3. Portfolio P has 50% invested in both A and B. Which of the following would occur if the market risk premium increased by 1% but the risk-free rate remained constant?

The slope of the SML is determined by the value of beta.

The risk-free rate is 6%; Stock A has a beta of 1.0; Stock B has a beta of 2.0; and the market risk premium, rM − rRF, is positive. Which of the following statements is CORRECT?

"Risk aversion" implies that investors require higher expected returns on riskier than on less risky securities.

Dothan Inc.'s stock has a 25% chance of producing a 30% return, a 50% chance of producing a 12% return, and a 25% chance of producing a -18% return. What is the firm's expected rate of return?

Overview

Financial Markets

Financial Statements

Statement Analysis

Time Value of Money

Interest Rates

Bonds

Stocks

Cost of Capital

Capital Budgeting

Cash Flow and Risk

Real Options

Capital Structure

Dividends

Working Capital

Forecasting

Derivatives

Multinational

Hybrid Financing

Mergers

Filters