Implications of Return Predictability Across Horizons for Asset Pricing Models

Implications of Return Predictability Across Horizons for Asset Pricing Models
Author: Carlo A. Favero
Publisher:
Total Pages: 61
Release: 2016
Genre: Assets (Accounting)
ISBN:

We use the evidence on predictability of returns at different horizons to discriminate among competing asset pricing models. Specifically, we employ predictors-based variance bounds, i.e. bounds on the variance of the Stochastic Discount Factors (SDFs) that price a given set of returns conditional on the information contained in a vector of return predictors. We show that return predictability delivers variance bounds that are much tighter than the classical, unconditional Hansen and Jagannathan (1991) bounds. We use the predictors-based bounds to discriminate among three leading classes of asset pricing models: rare disasters, long-run risks and external habit. We find that the rare disasters model of Nakamura, Steinsson, Barro, and Ursua (2013) is the best performer since it satisfies rather comfortably the predictors-based bounds at all horizons. As for long-run risks, while the classical version of Bansal and Yaron (2004) is the model most challenged by the introduction of conditioning information since it struggles to meet the bounds at all horizons, the more general version of Schorfheide, Song, and Yaron (2016), which accounts for multiple volatility components, satisfies the 1- and 5-year bounds as long as the set of test assets includes only equities and T-Bills. The Campbell and Cochrane (1999) habit model lies somehow in the middle: it performs quite well at our longest 5-year horizon while it struggles at the 1-year horizon. Finally, when the set of test assets is augmented with Treasury Bonds, the only model that is able to satisfy the predictors-based bounds is the rare disasters model.

Empirical Asset Pricing

Empirical Asset Pricing
Author: Wayne Ferson
Publisher: MIT Press
Total Pages: 497
Release: 2019-03-12
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0262039370

An introduction to the theory and methods of empirical asset pricing, integrating classical foundations with recent developments. This book offers a comprehensive advanced introduction to asset pricing, the study of models for the prices and returns of various securities. The focus is empirical, emphasizing how the models relate to the data. The book offers a uniquely integrated treatment, combining classical foundations with more recent developments in the literature and relating some of the material to applications in investment management. It covers the theory of empirical asset pricing, the main empirical methods, and a range of applied topics. The book introduces the theory of empirical asset pricing through three main paradigms: mean variance analysis, stochastic discount factors, and beta pricing models. It describes empirical methods, beginning with the generalized method of moments (GMM) and viewing other methods as special cases of GMM; offers a comprehensive review of fund performance evaluation; and presents selected applied topics, including a substantial chapter on predictability in asset markets that covers predicting the level of returns, volatility and higher moments, and predicting cross-sectional differences in returns. Other chapters cover production-based asset pricing, long-run risk models, the Campbell-Shiller approximation, the debate on covariance versus characteristics, and the relation of volatility to the cross-section of stock returns. An extensive reference section captures the current state of the field. The book is intended for use by graduate students in finance and economics; it can also serve as a reference for professionals.

Predicting Stock Returns

Predicting Stock Returns
Author: David G McMillan
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 141
Release: 2017-11-30
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 3319690086

This book provides a comprehensive analysis of asset price movement. It examines different aspects of stock return predictability, the interaction between stock return and dividend growth predictability, the relationship between stocks and bonds, and the resulting implications for asset price movement. By contributing to our understanding of the factors that cause price movement, this book will be of benefit to researchers, practitioners and policy makers alike.

Predictability and the Cross-section of Expected Returns

Predictability and the Cross-section of Expected Returns
Author: Christian Schlag
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2020
Genre:
ISBN:

Many modern macro finance models imply that excess returns on arbitrary assets are predictable via the price-dividend ratio and the variance risk premium of the aggregate stock market. We propose a simple empirical test for the ability of such a model to explain the cross-section of expected returns by sorting stocks based on the sensitivity of expected returns to these quantities. Models with only one uncertainty-related state variable, like the habit model or the long-run risks model, cannot pass this test. However, even extensions with more state variables mostly fail. We derive conditions under which models would be able to produce expected return patterns in line with the data and discuss various examples.

Stock Return Predictability and Asset Pricing Models

Stock Return Predictability and Asset Pricing Models
Author: Doron Avramov
Publisher:
Total Pages: 62
Release: 2003
Genre:
ISBN:

This paper develops an asset allocation framework that incorporates prior beliefs about the extent of stock return predictability explained by asset pricing models. We find that when prior beliefs allow even minor deviations from pricing model implications, the resulting asset allocations depart considerably from and substantially outperform allocations dictated by either the underlying models or the sample evidence on return predictability. Under a wide range of beliefs about model pricing abilities, asset allocations based on conditional models outperform their unconditional counterparts that exclude return predictability.

Frontiers of Business Cycle Research

Frontiers of Business Cycle Research
Author: Thomas F. Cooley
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Total Pages: 452
Release: 1995-02-26
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780691043234

This introduction to modern business cycle theory uses a neoclassical growth framework to study the economic fluctuations associated with the business cycle. Presenting advances in dynamic economic theory and computational methods, it applies concepts to t

The Predictability Implied by Consumption-Based Asset Pricing Models

The Predictability Implied by Consumption-Based Asset Pricing Models
Author: Jiun-Lin Chen
Publisher:
Total Pages: 32
Release: 2018
Genre:
ISBN:

The consumption-based models have a lack of predictive power for explaining variability of stock returns. This paper examines two well-known models, Campbell and Cochrane (1999)'s habit model and Bansal and Yaron (2004)'s long-run risks model, to see whether they produce a significant power of return predictability. For the habit model, empirical tests reveal that the state variable, the surplus consumption ratio, explains counter-cyclical time-varying expected returns. The long-run risks model also proves to explain that main sources of volatility in price-dividend ratio are a persistent and predictable consumption growth rate and fluctuating economic uncertainty. The models are also tested by following the work of Kirby (1998) whether they can explain the observed return predictability. Both models fail to generate any significant predictive power. The habit model is relatively strong in volatility, which implies that variation in expected excess return is largely attributable to the time-varying risk aversion.

An Analytical Framework for Assessing Asset Pricing Models and Predictability

An Analytical Framework for Assessing Asset Pricing Models and Predictability
Author: René Garcia
Publisher:
Total Pages: 47
Release: 2008
Genre:
ISBN:

New insights about the connections between stock market volatility and returns, the pricing of long-run claims, or return predictability have recently revived interest in consumption-based equilibrium asset pricing. The recursive utility model is prominently used in these contexts to determine the price of assets in equilibrium. Often, solutions are approximate and quantities of interest are computed through simulations. We propose an approach that delivers closed-form formulas for price-consumption and price-dividend ratios, as well as for many of the statistics usually computed to assess the ability of the model to reproduce stylized facts. The proposed framework is flexible enough to capture rich dynamics for consumption and dividends. Closed-form formulas facilitate the economic interpretation of empirical results. We illustrate the usefulness of our approach by investigating the properties of long-run asset pricing models in many empirical dimensions.

The Restrictions on Predictability Implied by Rational Asset Pricing Models

The Restrictions on Predictability Implied by Rational Asset Pricing Models
Author: Chris Kirby
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2001
Genre:
ISBN:

This article shows how rational asset pricing models restrict the regression-based criteria commonly used to measure return predictability. Specifically, it invokes no arbitrage arguments to show that the intercept, slope coefficients, and R-squared in predictive regressions must take specific values. These restrictions provide a way to directly assess whether the predictability uncovered using regression analysis is consistent with rational pricing. Empirical tests reveal that the returns on the CRSP size deciles are too predictable to be compatible with a number of well-known pricing models. However, the overall pattern of predictability across these portfolios is reasonably consistent with what we would expect under circumstances where predictability is rational.