6.13 : Capital Asset Pricing Model: Introduction

The Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) is a fundamental concept in modern financial theory used to determine the expected rate of return on an investment by considering its inherent risk relative to the overall market. This model provides a structured approach to evaluating the trade-off between risk and return, which is crucial for making informed investment decisions.

CAPM incorporates three primary components: the risk-free rate, the beta factor, and the market risk premium. The risk-free rate represents the return on an investment with zero risk, typically derived from government bond yields. Beta measures the volatility of an asset's returns compared to the market, indicating how much the asset's returns are expected to fluctuate with market movements. The market risk premium reflects the additional return investors demand for taking on the higher risk of investing in the market, calculated as the difference between the expected market return and the risk-free rate.

One of CAPM's key strengths is its ability to facilitate comparisons between different investment opportunities. By quantifying the expected return relative to the associated risk, CAPM enables investors to make strategic choices about which assets to include in their portfolios. This approach helps construct diversified portfolios that optimize the balance between risk and return, aligning with the investor's risk tolerance and financial objectives.