Assume That the Risk-Free Rate, RRF, Increases but the Market

question 17

Multiple Choice

Assume that the risk-free rate, rRF, increases but the market risk premium, (rM − rRF) , declines with the net effect being that the overall required return on the market, rM, remains constant. Which of the following statements is CORRECT?

• A) The required return of all stocks will increase by the amount of the increase in the risk-free rate.
• B) The required return will decline for stocks that have a beta less than 1.0 but will increase for stocks that have a beta greater than 1.0.
• C) Since the overall return on the market stays constant, the required return on each individual stock will also remain constant.
• D) The required return will increase for stocks that have a beta less than 1.0 but decline for stocks that have a beta greater than 1.0.
• E) The required return of all stocks will fall by the amount of the decline in the market risk premium.

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