Fama-French Three-Factor Model Case Study

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In order to capture risk premiums better than with CAPM Fama and French developed The Three-Factor model. The variables are based on prior evidence and predict well average returns. There are two easily measured variables in addition to the beta, Small Minus Big and High Minus Low. Small Minus Big, often referred as SMB, is a factor trying to capture the size premium and according to Fama and French it works as proxy for risk. High Minus Low, otherwise known as HML, is a proxy for risk that value stocks carry. The smaller the company and the greater its book-to-market ratio, the riskier it is. Thus small companies with high book-to-market ratios should earn higher returns than the market on average. (Fama & French, 1992, 1996). The Fama-French three-factor model is …show more content…

Based on the previous model was developed constant-growth DDM, or the Gordon model, named after Myron J. Gordon. Constant-growth DDM simplifies the valuation process because we don´t need dividend forecast for every year into the indefinite future. Instead estimate for the dividend growth is used. The formula for constant-growth DDM presents as follows (Bodie et. al 2011b: 768-771; Gordon & Shapiro 1956):

P_0=D_1/(k-g) where g = estimated growth rate of dividends

From the formula, it can be seen that the growth rate of dividends (g) must be smaller than the required rate of return (k) otherwise current value of the share would be infinite. The stocks valuation will be higher what higher the growth rate (g) is, the lower required rate of return (k) is and the higher first year’s dividend is. (Bodie et. al 2011b: 768-771; Gordon & Shapiro 1956). It can be viewed from the formula that getting the expected growth rate wrong has substantial impacts to the

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