Asset Pricing with Distorted Beliefs: Are Equity Returns Too Good to Be True?

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2000
Volume: 90
Issue: 4
Pages: 787-805

Authors (3)

Pok-sang Lam (not in RePEc) Stephen G. Cecchetti (not in RePEc) Nelson C. Mark (University of Notre Dame)

Score contribution per author:

2.681 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We study a Lucas asset-pricing model that is standard in all respects, except that the representative agent's subjective beliefs about endowment growth are distorted. Using constant relative risk-aversion (CRRA) utility, with a CRRA coefficient below 10; fluctuating beliefs that exhibit, on average, excessive pessimism over expansions; and excessive optimism over contractions (both ending more quickly than the data suggest), our model is able to match the first and second moments of the equity premium and risk-free rate, as well as he persistence and predictability of excess returns found in the data.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:90:y:2000:i:4:p:787-805
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25