Document Type

Working Paper

Publication Date

8-2011

Abstract

During the 2007-9 Great Recession, the risk premium associated with U.S. stocks sharply increased and has since remained significantly higher compared to its range during the last 40 years. The increase in the equity risk premium has led many analysts to believe that risk aversion among stock investors has moved to a permanently higher range in recent years. Our empirical findings show that the recent increase in the equity risk premium primarily reflects a temporary collapse in consumer confidence. As long as the consumer confidence in the sustainability of economic recovery remains low, today's elevated risk premium would persist. Once the confidence level starts to recover - as it has done after every recession since the 1960s - the required return among stock market investors should also diminish.

Download

Included in

Economics Commons

Share

COinS