Abnormal returns
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Abnormal returns
The component of the return that is not due to systematic influences (market-wide influences). In other words, the abnormal returns is the difference between the actual return and that is expected to result from market movements (normal return). Related: excess returns.
Copyright © 2012, Campbell R. Harvey. All Rights Reserved.
Abnormal Return
The difference between the expected return and the actual return on an investment. Abnormal returns may be either positive or negative; indeed an abnormal return may be negative even if the actual return is positive. That is, suppose the expected return on an investment is 7% and the actual return is 5%. While the investor has 5% more than he/she had when he/she started, the abnormal return is still -2%. On the other hand, if the expected return is 5% and the actual return is 9%, then there is a positive abnormal return of 4%. One may use an abnormal return to gauge the accuracy of various asset pricing models.
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