Use Yahoo Finance to download the historical prices for Caterpillar (CAT) and (SPY). However, note that this will not always be the case, and normally we would subtract the risk-free rate from each return.
1. Use a CAPM single-index framework to find the beta for CAT. What information does this beta provide you as an investor? Interpret the coefficient in terms of both magnitude and statistical significance.
2. What is CAT's alpha? What information does the alpha provide an investor? Interpret the alpha in terms of magnitude and significance.
3. Using CAT's beta, find the difference between CAT's actual return and expected return on March 2nd, 2017.
4. Explain the difference between the actual and expected returns on March 2nd. Consider the type(s) of risk involved. (Hint: you likely will need to do a news search)
5. Find CAT's expected return using the beta and reasonable expectations of future market returns and risk-free rates. Briefly discuss how you arrived at these estimates.