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Happiness maintenance and asset prices

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Author Info
Antonio Falato
Abstract

This paper constructs a simple dynamic asset pricing model which incorporates recent evidence on the influence of immediate emotions on risk preferences. Investors derive direct utility from both consumption and financial wealth and, consistent with the happiness maintenance feature documented by Isen (1999) and others, become more cautious toward their wealth in good times. Mild pro-cyclical changes in risk aversion over wealth cause large pro-cyclical fluctuations in the current price-dividend ratio which, due to general equilibrium restrictions, translate into counter-cyclical variation in the current consumption-wealth ratio and, in turn, in expected future returns. With a realistic consumption growth process and reasonable preference parameters, the model generates a sizable equity premium, a low and stable risk-free rate, volatile and predictable stock returns, and price-dividend and Sharpe ratios in line with the data.

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Paper provided by Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.) in its series Finance and Economics Discussion Series with number 2008-19.

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Date of creation: 2008
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Handle: RePEc:fip:fedgfe:2008-19

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Keywords: Asset pricing ; Uncertainty ; Financial markets;

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  4. Antonio Falato, 2003. "Happiness Maintenance and Asset Prices," Finance 0310003, EconWPA. [Downloadable!]
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This page was last updated on 2009-11-18.

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