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Stochastic idiosyncratic cash flow risk and real options: implications for stock returns. (English) Zbl 1400.91642

Summary: Stocks with high idiosyncratic volatility perform poorly relative to low idiosyncratic volatility stocks. We offer a novel explanation of this anomaly based on real options, which is consistent with earlier findings on idiosyncratic volatility (the positive contemporaneous relation between firm-level stock returns and idiosyncratic volatility). Our approach is based on introducing stochastic idiosyncratic cash flow risk into an equity valuation model of firms with growth options. Within our model, a firm’s systematic risk depends on the delta of its growth option. The growth option’s delta is lower when idiosyncratic volatility rises, driving down the firm’s systematic risk and hence its expected return – firms with higher idiosyncratic volatility therefore have lower expected returns. Our model additionally offers the following novel empirical predictions: (i) returns correlate positively with idiosyncratic volatility during intervals between large changes in idiosyncratic volatility (the switch effect), and (ii) the anomalies and the switch effect are stronger for firms with more real options and which undergo larger changes in idiosyncratic volatility. Empirical results support the predictions of our model.

MSC:

91G50 Corporate finance (dividends, real options, etc.)
91B25 Asset pricing models (MSC2010)
60J75 Jump processes (MSC2010)
62P05 Applications of statistics to actuarial sciences and financial mathematics
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