CFA Level 1 - Rate of Return Basics

A. RATE OF RETURN

I.   BASICS

The Required Rate of Return
The required rate of return is the nominal rate of return that an investor needs in order to make an investment worthwhile.

This return varies over time and is comprised of the following:
  • Real risk-free rate
  • Inflation premium
  • Risk premium.

Real risk-free rate of return
The real risk-free rate of return (Rf) is the minimum return an investor requires. This rate does not take into account expected inflation and the capital market environment.


Formula 17.1

Real risk free rate (Rf) = (1 + nominal risk-free rate)     - 1
                                              (1 + inflation rate)




Example: Real risk-free rate of return
Determine the real risk-free rate if the nominal risk-free rate is 8% and the inflation rate is 3%.

Answer:

Rf = (1 + 0.08) - 1 = 4.85%
        (1 + 0.03)

Nominal risk-free rate of return (Rnominal)
This is simply the real risk-free rate of return adjusted for inflation.


Formula 17.2

Nominal risk-free rate = (1 + risk-free rate) x (1 + rate of inflation) – 1


Example: Nominal risk-free rate of return
Determine the nominal risk-free rate of return if the risk-free rate is 3% and the rate of inflation is 3%.

Answer:

Rnominal = (1 + 0.03) x (1 + 0.03) – 1 = 6.09%

Next: CFA Level 1 - The Risk Premium

Table of Contents
1) CFA Level 1 - Chapter 17: Portfolio Management
2) CFA Level 1 - Rate of Return Basics
3) CFA Level 1 - The Risk Premium
4) CFA Level 1 - The Security Market Line (SML)
5) CFA Level 1 - The Portfolio Management Process
6) CFA Level 1 - Return Objectives and Investment Constraints
7) CFA Level 1 - Portfolio Management Theories
8) CFA Level 1 - Portfolio Calculations
9) CFA Level 1 - Capital Market Theory
10) CFA Level 1 - The Capital Market Line
11) CFA Level 1 - The Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM)
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