Carson Inc.'s manager believes that economic conditions during the next year will be strong, normal, or weak, and she thinks that the firm's returns will have the probability distribution shown below. What's the standard deviation of the estimated returns? (Hint: Use the formula for the standard deviation of a population, not a sample.) Do not round your intermediate calculations. Economic Conditions Strong Normal Weak O a. 17.49% O b. 12.36% O c. 22.49% O d. 10.10% O e. 18.36% Prob. 30% 40% 30% Return 27.0% 13.0% -17.0%

Essentials Of Investments
11th Edition
ISBN:9781260013924
Author:Bodie, Zvi, Kane, Alex, MARCUS, Alan J.
Publisher:Bodie, Zvi, Kane, Alex, MARCUS, Alan J.
Chapter1: Investments: Background And Issues
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1PS
icon
Related questions
icon
Concept explainers
Question
### Economic Conditions and Standard Deviation of Returns

Carson Inc.'s manager believes that economic conditions during the next year will be strong, normal, or weak, and she thinks that the firm's returns will have the probability distribution shown below. 

#### Question:
What's the standard deviation of the estimated returns? (Hint: Use the formula for the standard deviation of a population, not a sample.) Do not round your intermediate calculations.

#### Economic Conditions Probability Distribution:

| **Economic Conditions** | **Prob.** | **Return** |
|--------------------------|-----------|------------|
| Strong                   | 30%       | 27.0%      |
| Normal                   | 40%       | 13.0%      |
| Weak                     | 30%       | -17.0%     |

#### Answer Choices:
- a. 17.49%
- b. 12.36%
- c. 22.49%
- d. 10.10%
- e. 18.36%

#### Explanation:
To find the standard deviation of the returns, we use the formula for standard deviation of a population. Here are the steps:

1. **Calculate the Expected Return (Mean)**:
\[ E(R) = \sum (P_i \times R_i) \]
Where \( P_i \) is the probability of each economic condition, and \( R_i \) is the return.

2. **Compute the Variance**:
\[ \sigma^2 = \sum [P_i \times (R_i - E(R))^2] \]

3. **Find the Standard Deviation**:
\[ \sigma = \sqrt{\sigma^2} \]

Use these steps to calculate the actual standard deviation based on the given probabilities and returns.

----------

This problem illustrates the concept of standard deviation in the context of varying economic conditions and expected returns, a crucial topic in financial management and investment analysis. Understanding how to calculate and interpret standard deviation helps in assessing risk and making better-informed financial decisions.
Transcribed Image Text:### Economic Conditions and Standard Deviation of Returns Carson Inc.'s manager believes that economic conditions during the next year will be strong, normal, or weak, and she thinks that the firm's returns will have the probability distribution shown below. #### Question: What's the standard deviation of the estimated returns? (Hint: Use the formula for the standard deviation of a population, not a sample.) Do not round your intermediate calculations. #### Economic Conditions Probability Distribution: | **Economic Conditions** | **Prob.** | **Return** | |--------------------------|-----------|------------| | Strong | 30% | 27.0% | | Normal | 40% | 13.0% | | Weak | 30% | -17.0% | #### Answer Choices: - a. 17.49% - b. 12.36% - c. 22.49% - d. 10.10% - e. 18.36% #### Explanation: To find the standard deviation of the returns, we use the formula for standard deviation of a population. Here are the steps: 1. **Calculate the Expected Return (Mean)**: \[ E(R) = \sum (P_i \times R_i) \] Where \( P_i \) is the probability of each economic condition, and \( R_i \) is the return. 2. **Compute the Variance**: \[ \sigma^2 = \sum [P_i \times (R_i - E(R))^2] \] 3. **Find the Standard Deviation**: \[ \sigma = \sqrt{\sigma^2} \] Use these steps to calculate the actual standard deviation based on the given probabilities and returns. ---------- This problem illustrates the concept of standard deviation in the context of varying economic conditions and expected returns, a crucial topic in financial management and investment analysis. Understanding how to calculate and interpret standard deviation helps in assessing risk and making better-informed financial decisions.
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps with 2 images

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Exchange Rate Risk
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, finance and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Essentials Of Investments
Essentials Of Investments
Finance
ISBN:
9781260013924
Author:
Bodie, Zvi, Kane, Alex, MARCUS, Alan J.
Publisher:
Mcgraw-hill Education,
FUNDAMENTALS OF CORPORATE FINANCE
FUNDAMENTALS OF CORPORATE FINANCE
Finance
ISBN:
9781260013962
Author:
BREALEY
Publisher:
RENT MCG
Financial Management: Theory & Practice
Financial Management: Theory & Practice
Finance
ISBN:
9781337909730
Author:
Brigham
Publisher:
Cengage
Foundations Of Finance
Foundations Of Finance
Finance
ISBN:
9780134897264
Author:
KEOWN, Arthur J., Martin, John D., PETTY, J. William
Publisher:
Pearson,
Fundamentals of Financial Management (MindTap Cou…
Fundamentals of Financial Management (MindTap Cou…
Finance
ISBN:
9781337395250
Author:
Eugene F. Brigham, Joel F. Houston
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Corporate Finance (The Mcgraw-hill/Irwin Series i…
Corporate Finance (The Mcgraw-hill/Irwin Series i…
Finance
ISBN:
9780077861759
Author:
Stephen A. Ross Franco Modigliani Professor of Financial Economics Professor, Randolph W Westerfield Robert R. Dockson Deans Chair in Bus. Admin., Jeffrey Jaffe, Bradford D Jordan Professor
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education