Which Expectation? Toward a Unified Framework of Expectations-Based Asset Pricing
69 Pages Posted: 30 Jan 2022 Last revised: 26 Apr 2022
Date Written: January 27, 2022
Abstract
I propose an expectations-based theory that can account for many cross-sectional anomalies. In the model, investors have sticky expectations on cash flow levels, and this stickiness interacts with growth extrapolations to generate novel predictions. A new measure derived from the model forecasts contrarian profits, explains common factor premia, and predicts the timing of price momentum and reversal. The resultant trading strategies yield abnormal returns of 7% to 12% per year. Simulation and empirical results using 69 anomalies strongly support the model's additional predictions: (1) mispricing associated with growth (level) forecast errors are persistent (transient), and (2) ex ante anomaly variables reliably predict the ex post term structure of analyst forecast errors.
Keywords: Asset pricing, stock returns, expectation, extrapolation, momentum, reversal, mispricing
JEL Classification: G11, G12
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation