Expected Returns

Framework factor-model yield
Bottom Line

Expected return analysis pending data load.

Summary will populate from computed model data.

--
Avg Expected Return
--
Top Ticker
--
Yield Component %
--
Avg Confidence
--
Universe Size

Supporting Evidence

Overview

Rather than relying on a single model to estimate expected returns, this framework adopts a multi-lens approach: it decomposes the expected return of an asset or portfolio into interpretable building blocks, each grounded in a different economic mechanism.

The core idea is that long-run expected returns can be understood as the sum of: (1) the current yield the asset provides, (2) the expected growth in that yield or in the underlying cash flows, and (3) any valuation change (multiple expansion or compression) that the market prices in through factor exposures.

Design Principles

  • Transparency — every assumption is visible as a separate block
  • Robustness — multiple lenses provide cross-checks
  • Modularity — blocks can be updated independently
  • Horizon-awareness — different blocks dominate at different horizons

Strengths

  • Intuitive decomposition of return sources
  • Each block can be estimated separately
  • Avoids single-model fragility
  • Applicable across asset classes

Limitations

  • Blocks are not fully independent
  • Growth estimation is inherently uncertain
  • Assumes stable factor premia
  • Multiple expansion is hard to forecast

How It Works

The framework assembles expected returns from the bottom up, estimating each component independently and then combining them.

  1. Estimate the earnings yield. Compute the current earnings yield $y_t = E/P$ or, for bonds, the yield-to-maturity. This is the return the asset would deliver if nothing else changed. For leveraged assets, use the unlevered yield $y_u$.
  2. Estimate growth. Forecast the real growth rate of earnings, dividends, or cash flows. Use a blend of: analyst consensus, sustainable growth ($g = ROE \times b$), and historical trailing growth. Apply appropriate shrinkage toward the long-run aggregate.
  3. Compute factor exposures. Regress asset returns on a factor model (e.g., Fama-French, macro factors) to estimate $\beta_{ik}$. Multiply by the estimated factor risk premia $\lambda_k$ to get the expected return contribution from each factor.
  4. Assemble building blocks. Sum the components: $E[r] \approx y + g + \sum_k \beta_k \lambda_k$. Cross-check against the factor model total and against historical realized returns. Flag large discrepancies for review.

Key Equations

Unlevered Return Decomposition

$$r_u \approx y_u + g_u$$

where $y_u$ is the unlevered yield and $g_u$ is the unlevered real growth rate.

Levered Equity Return

$$E[r_e] = y_e + g_e + \Delta\text{PE}$$

Earnings yield plus earnings growth plus expected change in the price-to-earnings multiple.

Factor Model

$$E[r_i] = r_f + \sum_{k=1}^{K} \beta_{ik}\,\lambda_k$$

where $\beta_{ik}$ is asset $i$'s exposure to factor $k$ and $\lambda_k$ is the expected risk premium for factor $k$.

Building Block Assembly

$$E[r] = \underbrace{y}_{\text{yield}} + \underbrace{g}_{\text{growth}} + \underbrace{\sum_k \beta_k \lambda_k}_{\text{factor premia}} + \underbrace{\Delta V}_{\text{valuation}}$$

Sustainable Growth Rate

$$g^* = ROE \times b$$

where $ROE$ is return on equity and $b$ is the retention ratio $(1 - \text{payout ratio})$.

Building Blocks

The waterfall chart above shows the additive decomposition of expected returns. Each block represents a distinct economic source of return. This section will be populated with computed data from the MATLAB analysis pipeline.

Block Definitions

  • Earnings Yield — $E/P$ ratio, the static return assuming no growth or repricing
  • Real Growth — expected real earnings growth, blended from multiple estimators
  • Inflation — expected inflation pass-through to nominal returns
  • Buyback Yield — net share repurchase yield (dilution-adjusted)
  • Multiple Change — expected change in the P/E multiple (typically mean-reverting)

Cross-Asset Application

The same framework applies to bonds (yield + roll + spread change), real estate (cap rate + rent growth + cap rate change), and commodities (carry + spot return + roll yield).

Detailed building block breakdown will appear here after MATLAB computation

Key References

  • Ilmanen, A. (2011). Expected Returns: An Investor's Guide to Harvesting Market Rewards. Wiley.
  • Asness, C. S., Moskowitz, T. J., and Pedersen, L. H. (2013). Value and Momentum Everywhere. Journal of Finance, 68(3), 929-985.
  • Ang, A. (2014). Asset Management: A Systematic Approach to Factor Investing. Oxford University Press.
  • Fama, E. F. and French, K. R. (1993). Common Risk Factors in the Returns on Stocks and Bonds. Journal of Financial Economics, 33(1), 3-56.

Related Models