Equity Risk Premium

equity risk premium

The extra return expected from investments in common stocks compared to the return from U.S. Treasury securities.

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Equity Risk Premium

What Does Equity Risk Premium Mean?

The return provided by an individual stock or the overall stock market in excess of the risk-free rate. This excess return compensates investors for taking on the relatively higher risk of the equity market. The size of the risk premium will vary as the risk in a particular stock, or in the stock market as a whole, changes; high-risk investments are compensated with a higher premium. Also referred to as the equity premium.

Investopedia explains Equity Risk Premium

The risk premium is the result of the risk-return trade-off, in which investors require a higher rate of return on riskier investments. The risk-free rate in the market often is quoted as the rate on longerterm U.S. government bonds, which are considered risk-free because of the unlikelihood that the government will default on its loans. Compare that with securities that offer no or little guarantees. Remember, companies regularly experience downturns and go out of business. If the return on a stock is 15% and the risk-free rate over the same period is 7%, the equity-risk premium is 8% for this stock over that period.

Related Terms:
• Equity
• Gordon Growth Model
• Premium
• Risk
• Risk-Return Trade-Off