In CAPM, the term RM − RF is known as what?

Study for the Financial Management Domain Test. Prepare with interactive quizzes and comprehensive questions, each with detailed feedback and explanations. Ace your exam confidently!

Multiple Choice

In CAPM, the term RM − RF is known as what?

Explanation:
RM − RF is the market risk premium—the extra return investors require for bearing the market’s non-diversifiable, systematic risk. In CAPM, the expected return on any asset is RF plus beta times the market risk premium: E[R_i] = RF + beta_i × (RM − RF). This premium captures the compensation for taking on exposure to the overall market; diversification can remove idiosyncratic risk, but systematic risk remains priced in. For example, if the market return is 8% and the risk-free rate is 3%, the market risk premium is 5%. An asset with beta 1 would have an expected return of 3% + 1×5% = 8%; with beta 0.5, it would be 3% + 0.5×5% = 5.5%. It’s not the beta itself, nor the risk-free rate, and it’s not WACC.

RM − RF is the market risk premium—the extra return investors require for bearing the market’s non-diversifiable, systematic risk. In CAPM, the expected return on any asset is RF plus beta times the market risk premium: E[R_i] = RF + beta_i × (RM − RF). This premium captures the compensation for taking on exposure to the overall market; diversification can remove idiosyncratic risk, but systematic risk remains priced in. For example, if the market return is 8% and the risk-free rate is 3%, the market risk premium is 5%. An asset with beta 1 would have an expected return of 3% + 1×5% = 8%; with beta 0.5, it would be 3% + 0.5×5% = 5.5%. It’s not the beta itself, nor the risk-free rate, and it’s not WACC.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy