We ask whether stock returns in France, Germany, Japan, the UK and the US are predictable by three instruments: the dividend yield, the earnings yield and the short rate. The predictability regression is suggested by a present value model with earnings growth, payout ratios and the short rate as state variables. We use this model imposing a constant risk premium to examine the finite sample evidence on predictability. Not only do we find the short rate to be a relevant state variable theoretically, it is also the only robust short-run predictor of equity returns. The evidence in Lamont (1998) on earnings and dividend yield predictability is not robust to our increased sample period, does not survive finite sample corrections and does not extend to other countries. We find no evidence of long-horizon predictability once we account for finite sample influence. Finally, cross-country predictability appears stronger than predictability using local instruments.
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Paper provided by National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc in its series NBER Working Papers with number
8207.
Length: Date of creation: Apr 2001 Date of revision: Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:8207
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Find related papers by JEL classification: C12 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: General - - - Hypothesis Testing C51 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Construction and Estimation
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Goetzmann, William N & Jorion, Philippe, 1995.
"A Longer Look at Dividend Yields,"
Journal of Business,
University of Chicago Press, vol. 68(4), pages 483-508, October.
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David M. Cutler & James M. Poterba & Lawrence H. Summers, 1989.
"What Moves Stock Prices?,"
NBER Working Papers
2538, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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David H. Cutler & James M. Poterba & Lawrence H. Summers, 1988.
"What Moves Stock Prices?,"
Working papers
487, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Department of Economics.
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