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Journal of Financial Economics Vol. 82 No. 3 2006

Profitability, investment and average returns

Eugene F. Fama1; Kenneth R. French2

1 University of Chicago · 2 Dartmouth College

Abstract

Valuation theory says that expected stock returns are related to three variables: the book-to-market equity ratio (Bt/Mt), expected profitability, and expected investment. Given Bt/Mt and expected profitability, higher expected rates of investment imply lower expected returns. But controlling for the other two variables, more profitable firms have higher expected returns, as do firms with higher Bt/Mt. These predictions are confirmed in our tests.

DOI
10.1016/j.jfineco.2005.09.009
Volume
82
Issue
3
Pages
491-518
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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