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Substitution and Risk Aversion: Is Risk Aversion Important for Understanding Asset Prices?

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  • Benjamin Eden

    (Department of Economics, Vanderbilt University)

Abstract

This paper uses a recursive time-non-separable expected utility function to separate between the intertemporal elasticity of substitution (IES) and a measure of relative risk aversion to bets in terms of money (RAM). Risk premium does not require risk aversion. Changes in IES have large effects on asset prices but changes in risk aversion have only a small effect on asset prices. Assuming IES = 1 and allowing a wide range for the RAM coefficient (say between 0 and 10) is consistent with the cross-countries observation made by Lucas (2003) and the net of taxes and net of frictions rates of return estimated by McGrattan and Prescott (2003).

Suggested Citation

  • Benjamin Eden, 2004. "Substitution and Risk Aversion: Is Risk Aversion Important for Understanding Asset Prices?," Vanderbilt University Department of Economics Working Papers 0422, Vanderbilt University Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:van:wpaper:0422
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mehra, Rajnish & Prescott, Edward C., 1985. "The equity premium: A puzzle," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 15(2), pages 145-161, March.
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    3. Philippe Weil, 1990. "Nonexpected Utility in Macroeconomics," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 105(1), pages 29-42.
    4. Larry G. Epstein & Stanley E. Zin, 2013. "Substitution, risk aversion and the temporal behavior of consumption and asset returns: A theoretical framework," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Leonard C MacLean & William T Ziemba (ed.), HANDBOOK OF THE FUNDAMENTALS OF FINANCIAL DECISION MAKING Part I, chapter 12, pages 207-239, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    5. Eden, Benjamin, 1977. "The role of insurance and gambling in allocating risk over time," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 16(2), pages 228-246, December.
    6. repec:bla:econom:v:63:y:1996:i:251:p:495-512 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Hall, Robert E, 1988. "Intertemporal Substitution in Consumption," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 96(2), pages 339-357, April.
    8. David K. Backus & Bryan R. Routledge & Stanley E. Zin, 2005. "Exotic Preferences for Macroeconomists," NBER Chapters, in: NBER Macroeconomics Annual 2004, Volume 19, pages 319-414, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    12. Selden, Larry, 1978. "A New Representation of Preferences over "Certain A Uncertain" Consumption Pairs: The "Ordinal Certainty Equivalent" Hypothesis," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 46(5), pages 1045-1060, September.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Asset pricing; intertemporal elasticity of substitution; risk aversion;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates

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