Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) Calculator

The Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) Calculator is a tool for calculating expected returns on investment portfolios. Enter your data and get accurate results instantly.

Capital Asset Pricing Model Formula

The Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) is a widely-used formula for estimating the expected return on an investment, based on its level of risk and the expected return of the overall market. The formula is expressed as:

Expected Return = Risk-Free Rate + Beta x (Market Return - Risk-Free Rate)

where:

• Expected Return is the expected rate of return on the investment
• Risk-Free Rate is the rate of return on a risk-free investment, such as a Treasury bond
• Beta is a measure of the investment's risk relative to the overall market
• Market Return is the expected rate of return on the overall market

By inputting the appropriate values for these variables, investors can use the CAPM formula to estimate the expected return on a particular investment, and determine whether the potential return justifies the level of risk involved.

Capital Asset Pricing Model Example

Let's say that you are considering investing in a company's stock, and you want to use the Capital Asset Pricing Model to estimate the expected return on your investment. The current risk-free rate is 2.5%, and the expected return on the overall market is 8%. You have also determined that the stock's beta is 1.2.

To use the CAPM formula, you would plug in these values as follows:

Expected Return = 2.5% + 1.2 x (8% - 2.5%)

Calculating this out, you would get an expected return of 9.4% for the stock.

However, it's important to note that the CAPM formula is just an estimate, and there are many factors that can affect the actual return on your investment, such as changes in the market, company performance, and other economic factors. It's also important to consider the level of risk involved in the investment, as well as your own investment goals and risk tolerance.

Overall, the Capital Asset Pricing Model can be a useful tool for estimating the expected return on an investment, but it should be used in conjunction with other analysis and factors to make informed investment decisions.

So, Why is CAPM Important?

The Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) is an important tool for investors because it helps to evaluate the potential risk and return of an investment, and make informed decisions about where to allocate their investment dollars. The model uses the expected return on the overall market and the level of risk involved in a particular investment to estimate the expected return on that investment.

One of the main benefits of using the CAPM formula is that it provides a way to evaluate the risk and return of different investment opportunities in a standardized way. By calculating the expected return for each investment, investors can compare their potential returns and risks and make informed decisions about where to invest their money.

Another benefit of the CAPM model is that it helps investors to identify when an investment is not adequately compensating them for the risk they are undertaking. If the actual return of an investment falls below what the CAPM model predicts it should be, investors may decide to sell the asset and invest in a different asset, even if the asset appears to be performing well in comparison to the overall market. This is because the investor is not being adequately compensated for the risk they are taking on by holding the asset.

Overall, the CAPM formula is an important tool for investors to evaluate the potential risk and return of different investment opportunities, and make informed decisions about where to allocate their investment dollars.