The Low-Volatility Anomaly: Market Evidence on Systematic Risk versus Mispricing

Abstract

We explore whether the well publicized anomalous returns associated with low-volatility stocks can be attributed to market mispricing or to compensation for higher systematic risk. Our results, conducted over a 46 year study period (1966-2011), indicate that the high returns related to low-volatility portfolios cannot be viewed as compensation for systematic factor risk. Instead, the excess returns are more likely to be driven by market mispricing connected with volatility as a stock characteristic.

Keywords: low-volatility stocks, market, risk, mispricing