This paper estimates the cost of capital from observed accounting information and compares the resulting estimates with so-called implied cost of capital (ICC) calculations and those from asset pricing models. The estimates are based on the idea that buying earnings growth is risky, and...

The paper presents an accounting framework for identifying characteristics that indicate expected returns. A model links expected returns to expected earnings and earnings growth, so a characteristic indicates expected returns if it indicates expected earnings and earnings growth that the market...

This paper offers an approach for estimating the cost of capital from observed accounting information and compares the resulting estimates to so-called implied cost of capital (ICC) calculations and those from asset pricing models. The approach is based on two ideas. First, buying expected...

This paper constructs a fundamental pricing factor based on observed accounting information. In contrast to standard models where accounting data often enter via data dredging, the factor is founded on consumption-based asset pricing theory and accounting principles that connect accounting...

The DuPont decomposition of profitability into profit margin and asset turnover has been applied extensively to forecast future profits. This paper provides a complementary analysis under which the DuPont decomposition also informs about the risk that profits may differ from expectation. In the...

A two-factor model explains returns for a variety of test portfolios, including those based of CAPM beta and those underlying factors in extant pricing models. The two-factor model involves the market factor and a factor based on firms’ fundamentals that has the feature of providing a hedge in...