We propose a protocol for identifying genuine risk factors. A genuine risk factor must be related to the covariance matrix of returns, must be priced in the cross-section of returns, and should yield a reward-to-risk ratio that is reasonable enough to be consistent with risk pricing. A market...

To attenuate an inherent errors-in-variables bias, portfolios are widely employed for risk premium estimation; but portfolios might diversify away and thus mask relevant risk- or return-related features of individual assets. We propose a resolution that allows the use of individual assets while...

To attenuate an inherent errors-in-variables bias, portfolios are widely employed to test asset pricing models; but portfolios might mask relevant risk- or return-related features of individual assets. We propose an instrumental variables approach that allows the use of individual stocks as test...

We propose a protocol for identifying genuine risk factors. The underlying premise is that a risk factor must be related to the covariance matrix of returns, must be priced in the cross-section of returns, and should yield a reward-to-risk ratio that is reasonable enough to be consistent with...