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Journal of Finance Vol. 57 No. 4 2002

Rational Asset Prices

George M. Constantinides

University of Chicago

Abstract

The mean, covariability, and predictability of the return of different classes of financial assets challenge the rational economic model for an explanation. The unconditional mean aggregate equity premium is almost seven percent per year and remains high after adjusting downwards the sample mean premium by introducing prior beliefs about the stationarity of the price–dividend ratio and the (non)forecastability of the long‐term dividend growth and price—dividend ratio. Recognition that idiosyncratic income shocks are uninsurable and concentrated in recessions contributes toward an explanation. Also borrowing constraints over the investors' life cycle that shift the stock market risk to the saving middle‐aged consumers contribute toward an explanation.

DOI
10.1111/1540-6261.00471
Volume
57
Issue
4
Pages
1567-1591
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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