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The CAPM is Alive and Well: A Review and Synthesis

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  • Haim Levy

Abstract

Mean†Variance (M†V) analysis and the CAPM are derived in the expected utility framework. Behavioural Economists and Psychologists (BE&P) advocate that expected utility is invalid, suggesting Prospect Theory as a substitute paradigm. Moreover, they show that the M†V rule, which is the foundation of the CAPM, is not always consistent with peoples’ choices. Thus, BE&P cast doubt on the validity of expected utility paradigm and of the M†V rule, hence the CAPM is theoretically questionable. In addition, there is very little empirical support to the CAPM. We show in this study that the CAPM is theoretically valid even when one accepts the BE&P framework and even when expected utility is invalid. Moreover, within the BE&P framework there is a strong experimental support for the CAPM.

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  • Haim Levy, 2010. "The CAPM is Alive and Well: A Review and Synthesis," European Financial Management, European Financial Management Association, vol. 16(1), pages 43-71, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:eufman:v:16:y:2010:i:1:p:43-71
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-036X.2009.00530.x
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    10. Marrero, Gustavo A. & Puch, Luis A. & Ramos-Real, Francisco J., 2015. "Mean-variance portfolio methods for energy policy risk management," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 246-264.
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    15. J. Sarmiento-Sabogal & M. Sadeghi, 2015. "Estimating the cost of equity for private firms using accounting fundamentals," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(3), pages 288-301, January.
    16. Zarifhonarvar, Ali, 2023. "The Capital Asset Pricing Model: A New Empirical Investigation," EconStor Preprints 268396, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    17. Negrea, Bogdan & Toma, Mihai, 2017. "Dynamic CAPM under ambiguity—An experimental approach," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 16(C), pages 22-32.
    18. Chiu, Mei Choi & Wong, Hoi Ying & Zhao, Jing, 2018. "Dynamic safety first expected utility model," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 271(1), pages 141-154.
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    21. Matteo Del Vigna, 2011. "Financial market equilibria with heterogeneous agents: CAPM and market segmentation," Working Papers - Mathematical Economics 2011-08, Universita' degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Scienze per l'Economia e l'Impresa.
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    23. Chi-Lu Peng & Wen-Kuei Chen & An-Pin Wei, 2021. "Teaching CAPM for a Pre-Finance Graduate Program at the STEM Undergraduate Level: Linear Algebra Perspective," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(14), pages 1-22, July.
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