Question One: Time series regression. Datasets includes Monthly returns for the

Dow-Jones 30 Industrials and the S&P 500 for July 1997July 2007.

a. Calculate the continuous monthly returns for D-J30 and S&P 500. Construct and comment

on the return time series.

b. Using the functions match () and offset (), compare the distributions of returns on the S&P

500 for three periods: the second half of 1999, the second half of 2003, and the second half

of 2006. For the same periods calculate descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation,

min, max, skewness) and comment on your results.

c. The test of CAPM is based on the time series regressions introduced by Black et al (1972).

Regress the monthly returns of each of the stocks on the S&P 500 using the following

equation:

, = + , + ,

d. Compute the slope, intercept, R 2, and t-statistics for the slope and intercept. Comment on the results.

e. Test the validity of CAPM, using the following equation:

= 0 + 1 +

f. CAPM hypothesis holds true when the returns and betas are linearly related with each other,

which means that the slope 2 should be equal to zero. Extend part c by running a test of

non-linearity between the stock returns and their individual betas using the following

equation:

= 0 + 1 + 2 2 +