The Equity Premium Puzzle : An Artificial Neural Network Approach

This paper presents evidence suggesting that artificial neural networks approach (ANNs) outperform traditional statistical methods and can forecast equity premiums reasonably well. The study replicates out-of-sample estimates of regression using ANN with economic fundamentals as inputs. The dividend yield variable was found to produce the best out-of-sample forecasts for equity premium. This result is useful for capital asset pricing model and in asset allocation decisions