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Estimating Security Betas Using Prior Information Based on Firm Fundamentals

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  • Mathijs Cosemans
  • Rik Frehen
  • Peter C. Schotman
  • Rob Bauer

Abstract

We propose a hybrid approach for estimating beta that shrinks rolling window estimates toward firm-specific priors motivated by economic theory. Our method yields superior forecasts of beta that have important practical implications. First, unlike standard rolling window betas, hybrid betas carry a significant price of risk in the cross-section even after controlling for characteristics. Second, the hybrid approach offers statistically and economically significant out-of-sample benefits for investors who use factor models to construct optimal portfolios. We show that the hybrid estimator outperforms existing estimators because shrinkage toward a fundamentals-based prior is effective in reducing measurement noise in extreme beta estimates. Received May 17, 2011; accepted October 7, 2015 by Editor Geert Bekaert.

Suggested Citation

  • Mathijs Cosemans & Rik Frehen & Peter C. Schotman & Rob Bauer, 2016. "Estimating Security Betas Using Prior Information Based on Firm Fundamentals," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 29(4), pages 1072-1112.
  • Handle: RePEc:oup:rfinst:v:29:y:2016:i:4:p:1072-1112.
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