Stocks A and B have the following probability distributions of expected future returns:

Probability	A	B
0.1	(14	%)	(36	%)
0.2	5		0
0.4	16		22
0.2	22		26
0.1	40		40

1. Calculate the expected rate of return, , for Stock B ( = 14.40%.) Do not round intermediate calculations. Round your answer to two decimal places.

%

1. Calculate the standard deviation of expected returns, _A, for Stock A (_B = 20.27%.) Do not round intermediate calculations. Round your answer to two decimal places.

%

Now calculate the coefficient of variation for Stock B. Do not round intermediate calculations. Round your answer to two decimal places.

Is it possible that most investors might regard Stock B as being less risky than Stock A?

1. If Stock B is more highly correlated with the market than A, then it might have a higher beta than Stock A, and hence be less risky in a portfolio sense.
2. If Stock B is more highly correlated with the market than A, then it might have a lower beta than Stock A, and hence be less risky in a portfolio sense.
3. If Stock B is more highly correlated with the market than A, then it might have the same beta as Stock A, and hence be just as risky in a portfolio sense.
4. If Stock B is less highly correlated with the market than A, then it might have a lower beta than Stock A, and hence be less risky in a portfolio sense.
5. If Stock B is less highly correlated with the market than A, then it might have a higher beta than Stock A, and hence be more risky in a portfolio sense.

Assume the risk-free rate is 1.5%. What are the Sharpe ratios for Stocks A and B? Do not round intermediate calculations. Round your answers to four decimal places.

Stock A:

Stock B:

Are these calculations consistent with the information obtained from the coefficient of variation calculations in Part b?

1. In a stand-alone risk sense A is less risky than B. If Stock B is more highly correlated with the market than A, then it might have the same beta as Stock A, and hence be just as risky in a portfolio sense.
2. In a stand-alone risk sense A is less risky than B. If Stock B is less highly correlated with the market than A, then it might have a lower beta than Stock A, and hence be less risky in a portfolio sense.
3. In a stand-alone risk sense A is less risky than B. If Stock B is less highly correlated with the market than A, then it might have a higher beta than Stock A, and hence be more risky in a portfolio sense.
4. In a stand-alone risk sense A is more risky than B. If Stock B is less highly correlated with the market than A, then it might have a lower beta than Stock A, and hence be less risky in a portfolio sense.
5. In a stand-alone risk sense A is more risky than B. If Stock B is less highly correlated with the market than A, then it might have a higher beta than Stock A, and hence be more risky in a portfolio sense.