Compare the required return on these stocks calculated using CAPM in question #3 against their historical return over the last 52 weeks, found in the Yahoo!Finance - Key Statistics. Is there a difference between these returns? Is this a problem? Why is there a difference?

links to find the information

MSFT - http://finance.yahoo.com/q/ks?s=MSFT+Key+Statistics

XOM - https://finance.yahoo.com/q/ks?s=XOM+Key+Statistics

Beginning problem and questions already answered

Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) and Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)

1. What are the betas listed for these companies?

Beta is 0.88 for XOM.

Beta is 0.86 for MSFT

2. If you made an equal dollar investment in each stocks what would be the beta of your portfolio?

(0.88*.50)+ (0.86*.50) = .44 + .43 = .87 or 87%

3. Apply the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) Security Market Line to estimate the required return on these two stocks. Assumptions and Data: Note that you will need the risk-free rate and the market risk premium. Assume a 5% market risk premium. To get the current yield on 10-year Treasury securities go to Finance! Yahoos (www.finance.yahoo.com) -click on Market Data - Bonds. You will use the current yield on 10-year Treasury securities as the risk-free rate to estimate the required rate of return on stocks.

Required rate of return for XOM is 4.64%

Required rate of return for MSFT is 4.58%