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Asset pricing in African frontier equity markets

Author

Listed:
  • Hearn, Bruce
  • Tauringana, Venancio
  • Ntim, Collins
  • Malagila, John K.
  • Mishra, Tapas

Abstract

This paper undertakes a horse races style comparison of the efficacy of a range of multifactor asset pricing models in explaining the cross section of stock returns in African securities markets. Valuation factors used include size, book-to-market value, momentum, operating profit, asset growth or investment, liquidity and investor protection. Using monthly returns of 375 blue chip firms from 8 African equity markets over 23 years, we undertake a horse-race style comparison of various classes of augmented CAPM models. We show that both the Fama & French (2015) five factor and Fama & French (2018) six factor framework yield the highest explanatory power. Analysis of costs of equity and optimized portfolio opportunity set simulations reveal substantial differences arising and borne by practitioners from the contrasting application of different asset pricing models underscoring the timely importance of our study.

Suggested Citation

  • Hearn, Bruce & Tauringana, Venancio & Ntim, Collins & Malagila, John K. & Mishra, Tapas, 2025. "Asset pricing in African frontier equity markets," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finana:v:97:y:2025:i:c:s1057521924006847
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irfa.2024.103752
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Asset pricing; CAPM; Emerging Financial Markets; Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa

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