Consider an economy with two types of firms, S and I. S firms always move together, but I firms move independently of each other. For both types of firms there is a 40% probability that the firm will have a 20% return and a 60% probability that the firm will have a -30% return. The standard deviation for the return on a portfolio of 20 type I firms is closest to: O A. - 10% OB. 24.49% OC. 5.48% OD. 12.25%

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
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### Understanding Portfolio Risk in an Economy with Two Types of Firms

In this exercise, we consider an economy with two types of firms: S and I. Here's a brief overview of the problem and the elements involved.

#### Description of Firms:

- **Type S firms:** These firms always move together, indicating that their returns are perfectly correlated.
- **Type I firms:** These firms move independently, meaning their returns are uncorrelated.

#### Probabilities for Firms' Returns:

- **For both types of firms:**
  - There is a 40% probability that the firm will have a **+20% return**.
  - There is a 60% probability that the firm will have a **–30% return**.

Given this setup, the task is to determine the standard deviation of the return on a portfolio that consists of 20 type I firms.

#### Question:

The standard deviation for the return on a portfolio of 20 type I firms is closest to:

- **A.** –10%
- **B.** 24.49%
- **C.** 5.48%
- **D.** 12.25%

Here are the detailed components and calculations necessary to solve the problem:

1. **Mean Return (μ):**
   - The mean return can be calculated using the following formula:
     \[
     \mu = (0.40 \times 0.20) + (0.60 \times -0.30) = 0.08 - 0.18 = -0.10 = -10\%
     \]

2. **Variance (σ²):**
   - The variance for each firm is calculated as:
     \[
     \sigma^2 = (0.40 \times (0.20 - (-0.10))^2) + (0.60 \times (-0.30 - (-0.10))^2)
     = (0.40 \times 0.09) + (0.60 \times 0.04) = 0.036 + 0.024 = 0.06
     \]

3. **Standard Deviation (σ):**
   - The standard deviation for one firm is:
     \[
     \sigma = \sqrt{0.06} \approx 0.2449 = 24.49\%
     \]

However, since we are focusing on a portfolio of 20 independent firms
Transcribed Image Text:### Understanding Portfolio Risk in an Economy with Two Types of Firms In this exercise, we consider an economy with two types of firms: S and I. Here's a brief overview of the problem and the elements involved. #### Description of Firms: - **Type S firms:** These firms always move together, indicating that their returns are perfectly correlated. - **Type I firms:** These firms move independently, meaning their returns are uncorrelated. #### Probabilities for Firms' Returns: - **For both types of firms:** - There is a 40% probability that the firm will have a **+20% return**. - There is a 60% probability that the firm will have a **–30% return**. Given this setup, the task is to determine the standard deviation of the return on a portfolio that consists of 20 type I firms. #### Question: The standard deviation for the return on a portfolio of 20 type I firms is closest to: - **A.** –10% - **B.** 24.49% - **C.** 5.48% - **D.** 12.25% Here are the detailed components and calculations necessary to solve the problem: 1. **Mean Return (μ):** - The mean return can be calculated using the following formula: \[ \mu = (0.40 \times 0.20) + (0.60 \times -0.30) = 0.08 - 0.18 = -0.10 = -10\% \] 2. **Variance (σ²):** - The variance for each firm is calculated as: \[ \sigma^2 = (0.40 \times (0.20 - (-0.10))^2) + (0.60 \times (-0.30 - (-0.10))^2) = (0.40 \times 0.09) + (0.60 \times 0.04) = 0.036 + 0.024 = 0.06 \] 3. **Standard Deviation (σ):** - The standard deviation for one firm is: \[ \sigma = \sqrt{0.06} \approx 0.2449 = 24.49\% \] However, since we are focusing on a portfolio of 20 independent firms
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