Meaning & Definition of Capital Asset Pricing Model

What is the Capital Asset Pricing Model ?

The CAPM (Capital Asset Pricing Model) describes the relationship between expected returns and the systematic risk associated to assets. It focuses on stocks. CAPM is used in finance to price risky securities and generate expected returns for all assets, while also keeping in mind capital costs and risk.

Understanding The CAPM Formula

Let's look at the CAPM formula to better understand the CAPM model. To better understand the CAPM formula, see the image below.

This formula explains why investors want to be comula.

The CAPM formula calculates the beta, which is the risk that a specific investment will bring to a portfolio. This is the same as the stock market. Beta will be higher if a stock is more risky than the market. If a stock is considered to lower the portfolio's risk, its beta will be lower. This is due to the time value and investment risk. The CAPM formula uses the risk-free symbol to account for the time value of money. Other components of the CAPM formula account for any investor who takes on additional risk. This number is multiplied with the market risk premium. This is the expected return from the market that exceeds the risk-free rate.

Next, add up the beta of stock, market risk premium and risk-free rates. This formula will give the investor the return required to value an asset. It can also provide the investor with the discount rate necessary to determine this value. The CAPM formula was created to assist investors in evaluating the value of a stock. It can help investors determine how the stock's risk and return are in relation to each other.

Let's say that an investor is considering buying a stock worth Rs100 that pays a 3% annual dividend. We can determine whether the stock is more risky than a market portfolio by looking at its beta. Let's say that the beta for this stock is 1.3. This makes it a risky option for the market portfolio. The investor is expecting to see an increase in value of around 8% at a risk-free rate 3%.

The CAPM can be used to calculate the expected return on stock:

3% + 1.3 Times ( 8% -- 33% ) = 9.5%

This is the stock's expected return. It can be used to discount capital appreciation and dividends over the anticipated holding period. CAPM helps to show that the stock's value is fairly comparable to the risk it faces.

Criticisms about the CAPM Model

The capital asset pricing model, like many stock market predictors is imperfect. Many of its assumptions are not supported by reality. Modern financial theory is based on many system assumptions. First, securities markets are efficient and competitive. Investors assume that all relevant information about a company can be distributed equally and is absorbed quickly by everyone.

Second, markets are made up mainly of rational and risk-averse investors who seek to maximize their returns. These assumptions are false. Markets may be slow to pick up on company announcements or changes in corporate structure that impact stocks. Markets may also be populated by sentiment-oriented investors, which can often be seen during volatile periods.

Another assumption is that stock risk can only be assessed by volatility in price. But price movements in any direction are not equally risky. Both the returns and risks associated with a stock are not evenly distributed. Despite these criticisms about assumptions, the CAPM Model is still widely used because it is simple and allows one to easily compare investment options.