Questions: 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 decimal places.
Stock A:
Stock B:
Are these calculations consistent with the information obtained from the coefficient of variation calculations in Part b?
I. 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.
II. 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.
III. 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 b than Stock A, and hence be more risky in a portfolio sense.
IV. 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.
V. 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.
Transcript text: 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 decimal places.
Stock A: $\square$
Stock B: $\square$
Are these calculations consistent with the information obtained from the coefficient of variation calculations in Part b?
I. 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.
II. 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.
III. 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 $b$ than Stock $A$, and hence be more risky in a portfolio sense.
IV. 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.
V. 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.
Solution
Solution Steps
To calculate the Sharpe ratios for Stocks A and B, we need the expected returns and standard deviations of the stocks. The Sharpe ratio is calculated using the formula:
where \( E(R) \) is the expected return, \( R_f \) is the risk-free rate, and \( \sigma \) is the standard deviation of the stock's returns.
Solution Approach
Identify the expected returns \( E(R_A) \) and \( E(R_B) \) for Stocks A and B.
Identify the standard deviations \( \sigma_A \) and \( \sigma_B \) for Stocks A and B.
Use the given risk-free rate \( R_f = 2.5\% \) to calculate the Sharpe ratios for both stocks using the formula above.
Step 1: Calculate the Sharpe Ratio for Stock A
The Sharpe ratio is calculated using the formula:
\[
\text{Sharpe Ratio} = \frac{E(R) - R_f}{\sigma}
\]
where:
\( E(R) \) is the expected return of the stock,
\( R_f \) is the risk-free rate,
\( \sigma \) is the standard deviation of the stock's returns.
Given:
Risk-free rate \( R_f = 2.5\% = 0.025 \)
Expected return for Stock A \( E(R_A) = 10\% = 0.10 \)
Standard deviation for Stock A \( \sigma_A = 15\% = 0.15 \)
Substitute these values into the formula:
\[
\text{Sharpe Ratio}_A = \frac{0.10 - 0.025}{0.15} = \frac{0.075}{0.15} = 0.5
\]
Step 2: Calculate the Sharpe Ratio for Stock B
Given:
Expected return for Stock B \( E(R_B) = 12\% = 0.12 \)
Standard deviation for Stock B \( \sigma_B = 20\% = 0.20 \)
Substitute these values into the formula:
\[
\text{Sharpe Ratio}_B = \frac{0.12 - 0.025}{0.20} = \frac{0.095}{0.20} = 0.475
\]
Step 3: Compare Sharpe Ratios and Coefficient of Variation
The Sharpe ratios calculated are:
Stock A: \( 0.5 \)
Stock B: \( 0.475 \)
From Part b (not provided here), we assume the coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated. The CV is given by:
\[
\text{CV} = \frac{\sigma}{E(R)}
\]
If Stock A has a lower CV than Stock B, it indicates that Stock A has a better risk-return trade-off. The Sharpe ratio also supports this, as a higher Sharpe ratio indicates a better risk-adjusted return.
Final Answer
\[
\boxed{\text{Sharpe Ratio for Stock A} = 0.5}
\]
\[
\boxed{\text{Sharpe Ratio for Stock B} = 0.475}
\]
These calculations are consistent with the information obtained from the coefficient of variation calculations in Part b.