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Profitability and investment†based factor pricing models

Author

Listed:
  • Brendan Elliot
  • Paul Docherty
  • Stephen Easton
  • Doowon Lee

Abstract

Ex ante predictors of stock returns must exhibit explanatory power across the feasible set of investments. But empirical results of factor pricing models that incorporate firm investment and profitability cannot explain the apparently high returns of US small stocks with very high investment levels and very low profitability. Whilst these stocks comprise only a small fraction of US data sets, this is not the case across global markets. Using a data set that is concentrated with stocks that exhibit high investment despite low profitability, we demonstrate that such factor models are limited in their explanatory power over these stocks.

Suggested Citation

  • Brendan Elliot & Paul Docherty & Stephen Easton & Doowon Lee, 2018. "Profitability and investment†based factor pricing models," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 58(2), pages 397-421, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:acctfi:v:58:y:2018:i:2:p:397-421
    DOI: 10.1111/acfi.12217
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Robert W. Faff, 2019. "Adopting a Structured Abstract Design to More Effectively Catch Reader Attention: An Application of the Pitching Research® Framework," Capital Markets Review, Malaysian Finance Association, vol. 27(2), pages 1-13.
    3. Božović, Miloš, 2023. "Can a dynamic correlation factor improve the pricing of industry portfolios?," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).
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    5. Zhang, Xinyue & Bissoondoyal-Bheenick, Emawtee & Zhong, Angel, 2023. "Investor sentiment and stock market anomalies in Australia," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 284-303.
    6. Hoang, Khoa & Cannavan, Damien & Gaunt, Clive & Huang, Ronghong, 2019. "Is that factor just lucky? Australian evidence," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    7. Ana Escribano & Francisco Jareño & Jose Ángel Cano, 2023. "Study of the leading European construction companies using risk factor models," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(3), pages 3386-3402, July.
    8. Xiaoyue Chen & Bin Li & Andrew C. Worthington, 2022. "Economic uncertainty and Australian stock returns," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 62(3), pages 3441-3474, September.
    9. Cao, Viet Nga & Gray, Philip & Zhong, Angel, 2019. "Investment-related anomalies in Australia: Evidence and explanations," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 97-109.
    10. Chai, Daniel & Chiah, Mardy & Zhong, Angel, 2019. "Choosing factors: Australian evidence," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).

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