Problem:
Jane is considering investing in three different stocks or creating three distinct two-stock portfolios. Jane considers herself to be a rather conversative investor. She is able to obtain forecasted returns for the three securities for the years 2010 through 2016.
Year Stock A Stock B Stock C
2010 10% 10% 12%
2011 13 11 14
2012 15 8 10
2013 14 12 11
2014 16 10 9
2015 14 15 9
2016 12 15 10
In any of the possible two-stock portfolios, the weight of each stock in the portfolio will be 50%. The three possible portfolio combinations are AB, AC, and BC.
Answer the following.
a. Calculate the expected return for each individual stock.
b. Calculate the standard deviation for each individual stock.
c. Calculate the expected returns for portfolio AB, AC, and BC.
d. Calculate the standard deviations for portfolio AB, AC, and BC.
e. Would you recommend that Jane invest in the single stock A or the portfolios consisting of stock A and B? Explain your answer from a risk-return viewpoint.
f. Would you recommend that Jane invest in the single stock B or the portfolio consisting of stocks B and C? Explain your answer from a risk-return viewpoint.