Expected Stock Returns Worldwide: A Log-Linear Present-Value Approach
Harvard Business School Accounting & Management Unit Working Paper No. 18-079
The Accounting Review, Forthcoming
47 Pages Posted: 26 Feb 2018 Last revised: 20 Feb 2021
Date Written: January 21, 2021
Abstract
This study provides the first large-scale study of the performance of expected-return proxies (ERPs) internationally. Analyst-forecast-based ICCs are sparsely populated and not robustly associated with future returns. Earnings-model-forecast-based ICCs are well-populated, but are unreliable outside the U.S. We adapt and extend the log-linear and present-value (LPV) framework—combining an accounting valuation anchor, its expected growth, and market prices—for estimating ERPs internationally, and implement a correction for the use of stale accounting data. An LPV ERP anchored on the book value of equity is positively associated with future returns in 26 of 29 equity markets, and largely subsumes the predictive ability of a broad set of firm characteristics previously shown to be associated with expected returns.
Keywords: Expected returns; Discount rates; Fundamental valuation; Implied cost of capital; International equity markets; Present value;
JEL Classification: D83, G12, G14, M41
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation