Abstract
This paper studies the relative importance of discount rates and cash flows with a focus on the differences between time-series and cross-sectional variance tests. I show that the following holds for the market, different types of portfolios, and individual stocks: (a) changes in expected returns drive the majority of the time-series volatility in price ratios and unexpected returns, and (b) differences in expected cash flows generate most of the cross-sectional variance in valuations and unexpected returns. Contrary to previous results in the literature, I conclude that individual stocks or portfolios look similar to the market. These findings are robust to short- and long-run regressions and hold when using dividends or (clean surplus accounting) earnings as cash flows. Finally, I present a simple present-value model with latent expected returns and dividend growth rates that explains most of these results.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.