6. Problem 8.06 (Expected Returns)

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Stocks A and B have the following probability distributions of expected future returns:

Probability	A	B
0.2	(8%)	(37%)
0.2	2	0
0.4	11	18
0.1	23	27
0.1	36	40

1. Calculate the expected rate of return, , for Stock B ( = 9.10%.) Do not round intermediate calculations. Round your answer to two decimal places. %

2. Calculate the standard deviation of expected returns, _A, for Stock A (_B = 24.37%.) Do not round intermediate calculations. Round your answer to two decimal places. %

   Now calculate the coefficient of variation for Stock B. Round your answer to two decimal places.

   Is it possible that most investors might regard Stock B as being less risky than Stock A?

   1. If Stock B is more highly correlated with the market than A, then it might have a higher beta than Stock A, and hence be less risky in a portfolio sense.
   2. If Stock B is more highly correlated with the market than A, then it might have a lower beta than Stock A, and hence be less risky in a portfolio sense.
   3. If Stock B is more highly correlated with the market than A, then it might have the same beta as Stock A, and hence be just as risky in a portfolio sense.
   4. If Stock B is less highly correlated with the market than A, then it might have a lower beta than Stock A, and hence be less risky in a portfolio sense.
   5. If Stock B is less highly correlated with the market than A, then it might have a higher beta than Stock A, and hence be more risky in a portfolio sense.
   -Select-IIIIIIIVVItem 4

3. Assume the risk-free rate is 2.5%. What are the Sharpe ratios for Stocks A and B? Do not round intermediate calculations. Round your answers to two decimal places.

   Stock A:

   Stock B:

   Are these calculations consistent with the information obtained from the coefficient of variation calculations in Part b?

   1. In a stand-alone risk sense A is less risky than B. If Stock B is less highly correlated with the market than A, then it might have a lower beta than Stock A, and hence be less risky in a portfolio sense.
   2. In a stand-alone risk sense A is less risky than B. If Stock B is less highly correlated with the market than A, then it might have a higher beta than Stock A, and hence be more risky in a portfolio sense.
   3. In a stand-alone risk sense A is more risky than B. If Stock B is less highly correlated with the market than A, then it might have a lower beta than Stock A, and hence be less risky in a portfolio sense.
   4. In a stand-alone risk sense A is more risky than B. If Stock B is less highly correlated with the market than A, then it might have a higher beta than Stock A, and hence be more risky in a portfolio sense.
   5. In a stand-alone risk sense A is less risky than B. If Stock B is more highly correlated with the market than A, then it might have the same beta as Stock A, and hence be just as risky in a portfolio sense.
   -Select-IIIIIIIVVItem 7