1. The formula for the capital asset pricing model is:

K_i = R_F + B_i (K_M - R_F)

K_i is the required rate of return that we are solving for; R_F is the risk-free rate, and we shall assume it is 4.6 percent; B_i is the systematic risk of a stock that we will esimate; (K_m - R_F) is the equity risk premium or the amount the market is assumed to earn over the risk-free rate in the long term. We will use 6.4 percent in this example.

2. Now we are in a position to esimate the beta for a company and comptue K_i , the required rate of return.

While Value Line, Bloomberg, and other financial services provide esimates of beta, they are often very different. In this exercise, we are going to have you eyeball a value for beta. Go to finance.yahoo.com

3. Enter Oracle (ORCL) in the search box on the left and click "Get Quotes."

4. Along the left margin, click on Basic Chart

5. Then on the "Range" line, click on "2y"

6. Then on the "Compare" line, select S&P 500 and click "Compare."

7. Eyeball the relative volatility of ORCL to the Standard & Poor Index (GSPC) and estimate a beta (such as 1.1 or 1.3) based on the realitve volatility of the stock versus the index.

8. Use this beta and the previously presented information on R_F and (K_M -R_F) to compute K_i

10. What conclusion can you draw between the relationship of beta (b_i), a risk measure, and the required rate of reutrn (K_i)?