- Alpha and Beta
We continue our weeklong series on investment risk by looking at alpha and beta. These are two common measurements of investment risk that help an investor understand portfolio risk. By having a better understanding of investment risk an investor is able to mitigate risk and optimize returns.
Difference Between Alpha and Beta
Beta is a historical measure of volatility. Beta measures how an asset (i.e. a stock, an ETF, or portfolio) moves versus a benchmark (i.e. an index).
Alpha is a historical measure of an asset’s return on investment compared to the risk adjusted expected return.
What Does Beta Mean?
A beta of 1.0 implies a positive correlation (correlation measures direction, not volatility) where the asset moves in the same direction and the same percentage as the benchmark. A beta of -1 implies a negative correlation where the asset moves in the opposite direction but equal in volatility to the benchmark.
A beta of zero implies no correlation between the assets. Any beta above zero would imply a positive correlation with volatility expressed by how much over zero the number is. Any beta below zero would imply a negative correlation with volatility expressed by how much under zero the number is. For example a beta of 2.0 or -2.0 would imply volatility twice the benchmark. A beta of 0.5 or -0.5 implies volatility one-half the benchmark. I use the word “implies” because beta is based on historical data and we all know historical data does not guarantee future returns.
What Does Alpha Mean?
Alpha is used to measure performance on a risk adjusted basis. As an investor we want to know if we are being compensated for the risk taken. The return of investment might be better than a benchmark but still not compensate for the assumption of the risk.
An alpha of zero means the investment has exactly earned a return adequate for the risk assumed. An alpha over zero means the investment has earned a return that has more than compensated for the risk taken. An alpha of less than zero means the investment has earned a return that has not compensated for the risk assumed.
By risk adjusted we mean an investment return should compensate for Beta (volatility). If an investment is twice as volatile as the benchmark an investor should receive twice the return for assuming the additional risk. If an investment is less volatile than the benchmark an investor could receive less return than the benchmark and still be fairly compensated for the amount of risk taken.
Stock Beta and Alpha as an Example
Let’s assume company XYZ’s stock has a return on investment of 12% for the year and a beta of + 1.5; our benchmark is the S&P500 which was up 10% during the period. Is this a good investment?
A beta of 1.5 implies volatility 50% greater than the benchmark; therefore the stock should have had a return of 15% to compensate for the additional risk taken by owning a higher risk investment. The stock only had a return of 12%; three percent lower than the rate of return needed to compensate for the additional risk. The Alpha for this stock was -3 and tells us it was not a good investment even though the return was higher than the benchmark.
Alpha Investment versus Beta Investment
Beta investment is a choice. How much risk does the portfolio manager choose to take? That answer will depend on the objectives of the manager, the current investment environment, and should include consideration of asset valuations.
Everyone strives for positive alpha. This is the goal of a portfolio manager. A good manager uses portfolio management tools. Positive alpha is achieved with asset allocation, diversification, risk management, valuation strategies, and choosing individual investments with strategic advantages.
Understanding the difference between Alpha and Beta and how they relate to investment risk makes you a better investor. Use these tools for evaluation and risk management.
| AAAMP Blog by Ken Faulkenberry | |
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Ken Faulkenberry earned an MBA from the University of Southern California (USC) Marshall School of Business with an emphasis in investments. Ken has 25 years of investment experience and is dedicated to helping people with self-directed investment management through the Arbor Investment Planner. His asset allocation strategies have an outstanding performance record. |
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Nothwithstanding offers a unique, indeed unprecedented, version of the Cavalcade of Risk: a test. For each entry, you’ll be asked a question, and offered a set of possible answers. Better still: your post is in it:
http://notwithstandingblog.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/cavalcade-of-risk-149-single-best-answer/
[High scores win a coveted one-year subscription to the CoR Newsletter. If and/or when we ever decide to do one]
Please tell your readers.
And a friendly reminder to newbies and regulars alike that, while it’s not mandatory to give a link back, it’s the way that carnivals work best. If your submitted post has been included in the Cav, please remember to post about it on your blog because it helps us all.
Thanks!
Hank Stern
Hi Ken–I remember alpha and beta from my college days (finance major!). I don’t think one person in a hundred has any idea what they mean in relation to stocks. Most investors turn their money over to a mutual fund or investment manager and let them worry about it. I often wonder if the average person even knows what it is they’re putting their money into most times. I think that’s also why so many people wanted some sort of revenge (or “justice”) when the markets tanked in 2000 and 2007.
Your right Kevin. My hope is to help investors become more educated about investing and therefore make better investment decisions!
I don’t believe in this Alpha and Beta stuff, Ken. I think it is a product of Modern Portfolio Theory, which was discredited by Shiller’s research.
Are investors going to be compensated for the risk they took by investing in stocks in 2000?
That was the riskiest time in U.S. history to invest in stocks. Yet the likely long-term return was the LOWEST in history, not the highest.
These measures of risk ASSUME a level of investor rationality which is not present during wild bulls and wild bears.
Mark Twain said that it is not what we don’t know that hurts us most, it’s what we think we know for sure that just isn’t so.
Rob
Thanks for the comment Rob. You know I believe valuation should be the most important determinant of buy and sell decisions. But that doesn’t mean concepts such as beta and alpha can’t be useful tools for making measurements. Sometimes an analyst wants to know the past volality of an investment compared to the market, or how a portfolio of stocks has performed verses the market. While, I agree, these are not as important as valuation, they are still useful tools to understand.
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