Publications
Publications
- Journal of Financial Economics
Risk and the Cross-Section of Stock Returns
By: Mark Seasholes, Radu Burlacu, Patrice Fontaine and Sonia Jimenez-Garces
Abstract
This paper mathematically transforms unobservable rational expectation equilibrium model parameters (information precision and supply uncertainty) into a single variable that is correlated with expected returns and that can be estimated with recently observed data. Our variable can be used to explain the cross section of returns in theoretical, numerical, and empirical analyses. Using Center for Research in Security Prices data, we show that a −1σ to +1σ change in our variable is associated with a 0.31% difference in average returns the following month (equaling 3.78% per annum). The results are statistically significant at the 1% level. Our results remain economically and statistically significant after controlling for stocks' market capitalizations, book-to-market ratios, liquidities, and the probabilities of information-based trading.
Keywords
Risk Premiums; Cross-sectional Asset Pricing; REE Models; Risk and Uncertainty; Asset Pricing; Investment Return
Citation
Seasholes, Mark, Radu Burlacu, Patrice Fontaine, and Sonia Jimenez-Garces. "Risk and the Cross-Section of Stock Returns." Journal of Financial Economics 105, no. 3 (September 2012): 511–522.