lectures on the investment capm - 1. the q-factor...
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Lectures on the Investment CAPM
1. The q-Factor Model
Lu Zhang1
1The Ohio State Universityand NBER
Shanghai University of Finance and EconomicsDecember 2015
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 1 / 115
Theme
Four lectures based on Zhang (2015, The Investment CAPM), withadditional details from the original articles referenced:
1 The q-factor model
2 The structural investment CAPM
3 Quantitative investment theories
4 The big picture: Past, present, and future
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 2 / 115
The Investment CAPMA two-period stochastic general equilibrium model
Three de�ning characteristics of neoclassical economics:
Rational expectations
Consumers maximize utility, and �rms maximize market value
Markets clear
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 3 / 115
The Investment CAPMThe consumption CAPM
A representative household maximizes:
U(Ct) + ρEt [U(Ct+1)]
subject to:
Ct +∑i
PitSit+1 =∑i
(Pit + Dit)Sit
Ct+1 =∑i
(Pit+1 + Dit+1)Sit+1
The �rst principle of consumption:
Et [Mt+1rSit+1] = 1 ⇒ Et [r
Sit+1]− rft = βMit λMt
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 4 / 115
The Investment CAPMHeterogeneous �rms
An individual �rm i maximizes:
Pit + Dit ≡ max{Iit}
[ΠitKit − Iit −
a
2
(IitKit
)2Kit + Et [Mt+1Πit+1Kit+1]
]
The �rst principle of investment:
1 = Et
[Mt+1
Πit+1
1 + a(Iit/Kit)
]Pit+1 + Dit+1
Pit≡ rSit+1 = r Iit+1 ≡
Πit+1
1 + a(Iit/Kit)
Capital budgeting implies cross-sectionally varying expected returns
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 5 / 115
The Investment CAPMImplications
The evidence that characteristics predicting returns is consistent with theinvestment CAPM, does not necessarily mean mispricing
The consumption CAPM and the investment CAPM deliver identicalexpected returns in general equilibrium:
rft + βMit λMt = Et [rSit+1] =
Et [Πit+1]
1 + a(Iit/Kit)
Consumption: Covariances are su�cient statistics of Et [rSit+1]
Investment: Characteristics are su�cient statistics of Et [rSit+1]
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 6 / 115
Outline
1 The q-Factor Model
2 Factors WarThe Empire Strikes BackConceptual ComparisonEmpirical ComparisonLagging the De�ator: The Irrelevance of Gross Pro�tabilityIndependent Comparison
3 Understanding the Low Risk Anomaly
4 Notes
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 7 / 115
The q-Factor Model
Outline
1 The q-Factor Model
2 Factors WarThe Empire Strikes BackConceptual ComparisonEmpirical ComparisonLagging the De�ator: The Irrelevance of Gross Pro�tabilityIndependent Comparison
3 Understanding the Low Risk Anomaly
4 Notes
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 8 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor ModelHou, Xue, and Zhang (2015a, Digesting anomalies: An investment approach, RFS)
rit − rft = αiq + βiMKTMKTt + βiME rME,t + βi
I/A rI/A,t + βiROE rROE,t + εi
MKTt , rME,t , rI/A,t , and rROE,t are the market, size, investment, andROE factors, respectively
βiMKT
, βiME, βi
I/A, and βiROE
are factor loadings
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 9 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor ModelIntuition: The investment factor
q and high investment, and high discount rates give rise to low marginal q and low investment. This
discount rate intuition is probably most transparent in the capital budgeting language of Brealey,
Myers, and Allen (2006). In our setting capital is homogeneous, meaning that there is no difference
between project-level costs of capital and firm-level costs of capital. Given expected cash flows,
high costs of capital imply low net present values of new projects and in turn low investment, and
low costs of capital imply high net present values of new projects and in turn high investment.12
Figure 1. The Investment Mechanism
-X-axis: Investment-to-assets
6Y -axis: The discount rate
0
High investment-to-assets firms
SEO firms, IPO firms, convertible bond issuers
High net stock issues firms
Growth firms with low book-to-market
Low market leverage firms
Firms with high long-term prior returns
High accrual firms
High composite issuance firms
���
����
Low investment-to-assets firms
Matching nonissuers
Low net stock issues firms
Value firms with high book-to-market
High market leverage firms
Firms with low long-term prior returns
Low accrual firms
Low composite issuance firms
The negative investment-expected return relation is conditional on expected ROE. Investment
is not disconnected with ROE because more profitable firms tend to invest more than less prof-
itable firms. This conditional relation provides a natural portfolio interpretation of the investment
mechanism. Sorting on net stock issues, composite issuance, book-to-market, and other valuation
ratios is closer to sorting on investment than sorting on expected ROE. Equivalently, these sorts
12The negative investment-discount rate relation has a long tradition in economics. In a world without uncertainty,Fisher (1930) and Fama and Miller (1972, Figure 2.4) show that the interest rate and investment are negativelycorrelated. Intuitively, the investment demand curve is downward sloping. Extending this insight into a world withuncertainty, Cochrane (1991) and Liu, Whited, and Zhang (2009) demonstrate the negative investment-expectedreturn relation in a dynamic setting with constant returns to scale. Carlson, Fisher, and Giammarino (2004)also predict the negative investment-expected return relation. In their real options model expansion options areriskier than assets in place. Investment converts riskier expansion options into less risky assets in place. As such,high-investment firms are less risky and earn lower expected returns than low-investment firms.
23
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 10 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor ModelIntuition: The ROE factor
High ROE relative to low investment means high discount rates:
Suppose the discount rates were low
Combined with high ROE, low discount rates would imply high netpresent values of new projects and high investment
So discount rates must be high to counteract high ROE to induce lowinvestment
Price and earnings momentum winners as well as low distress �rms tend tohave higher ROE and earn higher expected returns
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 11 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor ModelIntuition: Beyond investment and ROE
Just like the consumption CAPM saying that betas are su�cient statisticsof expected stock returns, the investment CAPM says a few characteristics(investment and pro�tability) are su�cient
Confront the investment CAPM with an exhaustive array of anomalies
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 12 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor ModelWhy a factor model?
The investment CAPM is a characteristics-based model, but the q-factormodel is a factor pricing model:
Stock returns are better measured than accounting variables, also withhigher frequency
Estimating the structural model involves speci�cation errors absentfrom the factor model
Relative to cross-sectional regressions: Robust to outliers (microcaps),value- and equal-weighting, nonparametric form
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 13 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor ModelFactor construction
Construct rME,t , rI/A,t , and rROE,t with a triple two-by-three-by-three sorton size, investment, and ROE
Variable de�nitions:
Size: Stock price times shares outstanding from CRSP
Investment, I/A: Annual changes in total assets (item AT) divided bylagged total assets
ROE: Income before extraordinary items (item IBQ) divided byone-quarter-lagged book equity
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 14 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor ModelFactor construction
NYSE breakpoints: 50-50 for size, 30-40-30 for I/A, and 30-40-30 for ROE
Annual sort in June on the market equity at the June end
Annual sort in June of year t on I/A for the �scal year ending incalendar year t − 1
Monthly sort at the beginning of each month on ROE with the mostrecently announced quarterly earnings
Timing consistent with the investment CAPM and empirical practice
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 15 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor ModelProperties of the q-factors, 1/1972�12/2012
m α βMKT βSMB βHML βUMD
rME 0.31 0.23 0.17(2.12) 0.04 0.02 0.99 0.17
0.01 0.02 0.99 0.19 0.03
rI/A 0.45 0.52 −0.15(4.95) 0.33 −0.06 −0.02 0.39
0.28 −0.05 −0.02 0.41 0.05
rROE 0.58 0.63 −0.11(4.81) 0.77 −0.09 −0.33 −0.20
0.50 −0.03 −0.33 −0.10 0.28
rI/A rROE MKT SMB HML UMD
rME −0.11 −0.31 0.25 0.95 −0.07 0.01rI/A 0.06 −0.36 −0.22 0.69 0.05rROE −0.19 −0.38 −0.09 0.50
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 16 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor ModelSharpe ratios
Sharpe ratios Maximum Sharpe ratios
MKT SMB HML UMD rME rI/A rROE CAPM FF3 Carhart q
0.10 0.06 0.13 0.16 0.10 0.24 0.22 0.10 0.21 0.30 0.43
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 17 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor ModelTesting portfolios
Use an extensive array of anomaly portfolios (nearly 80), scope comparablewith the largest in the literature
Green, Hand, and Zhang (2013)
Harvey, Liu, and Zhu (2015)
McLean and Ponti� (2015)
NYSE breakpoints and value-weighted decile returns to alleviate the impactof microcaps
Fama and French (2008)
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 18 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor ModelTesting portfolios across six categories, nearly 80
Panel A: Momentum (plus six momentum-reversal variables)
SUE-1, earnings surprise SUE-6, earnings surprise(1-month holding period), (6-month holding period),Foster, Olsen, and Shevlin (1984) Foster, Olsen, and Shevlin (1984)Abr-1, cumulative abnormal stock Abr-6, cumulative abnormal stockreturns around earnings announcements returns around earnings announcements(1-month holding period), Chan, (6-month holding period), Chan,Jegadeesh, and Lakonishok (1996) Jegadeesh, and Lakonishok (1996)RE-1, revisions in analysts' earnings RE-6, revisions in analysts' earningsforecasts (1-month holding period), forecasts (6-month holding period),Chan, Jegadeesh, and Lakonishok (1996) Chan, Jegadeesh, and Lakonishok (1996)R6-1, price momentum (6-month prior R6-6, price momentum (6-month priorreturns, 1-month holding period), returns, 6-month holding period),Jegadeesh and Titman (1993) Jegadeesh and Titman (1993)R11-1, price momentum, (11-month I-Mom, industry momentum,prior returns, 1-month holding period), Moskowitz and Grinblatt (1999)Fama and French (1996)
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 19 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor ModelTesting portfolios across six categories, nearly 80
Panel B: Value versus growth
B/M, book-to-market equity, A/ME, market leverage,Rosenberg, Reid, and Lanstein (1985) Bhandari (1988)Rev, reversal, De Bondt and Thaler (1985) E/P, earnings-to-price, Basu (1983)EF/P, analysts' earnings forecasts-to-price, CF/P, cash �ow-to-price,Elgers, Lo, and Pfei�er (2001) Lakonishok, Shleifer, and Vishny (1994)D/P, dividend yield, O/P, payout yield, Boudoukh, Michaely,Litzenberger and Ramaswamy (1979) Richardson, and Roberts (2007)NO/P, net payout yield, Boudoukh, SG, sales growth,Michaely, Richardson, and Roberts (2007) Lakonishok, Shleifer, and Vishny (1994)LTG, long-term growth forecasts Dur, equity duration,of analysts, La Porta (1996) Dechow, Sloan, and Soliman (2004)
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 20 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor ModelTesting portfolios across six categories, nearly 80
Panel C: Investment
ACI, abnormal corporate investment, I/A, investment-to-assets,Titman, Wei, and Xie (2004) Cooper, Gulen, and Schill (2008)NOA, net operating assets, Hirshleifer, 4PI/A, changes in PPEHou, Teoh, and Zhang (2004) plus changes in inventory scaled by assets,
Lyandres, Sun, and Zhang (2008)IG, investment growth, NSI, net stock issues,Xing (2008) Ponti� and Woodgate (2008)CEI, composite issuance, NXF, net external �nancing,Daniel and Titman (2006) Bradshaw, Richardson, and Sloan (2006)IvG, inventory growth, IvC, inventory changes,Belo and Lin (2011) Thomas and Zhang (2002)OA, operating accruals, Sloan (1996) TA, total accruals, Richardson, Sloan,
Soliman, and Tuna (2005)POA, percent operating accruals, Hafzalla, PTA, percent total accruals, Hafzalla,Lundholm, and Van Winkle (2011) Lundholm, and Van Winkle (2011)
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 21 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor ModelTesting portfolios across six categories, nearly 80
Panel D: Pro�tability
ROE, return on equity, ROA, return on assets,Haugen and Baker (1996) Balakrishnan, Bartov, and Faurel (2010)RNA, return on net operating assets, PM, pro�t margin, Soliman (2008)Soliman (2008)ATO, asset turnover, CTO, capital turnover,Soliman (2008) Haugen and Baker (1996)GP/A, gross pro�ts-to-assets, F , F -score,Novy-Marx (2013) Piotroski (2000)TES, tax expense surprise, TI/BI, taxable income-to-book income,Thomas and Zhang (2011) Green, Hand, and Zhang (2013)RS, revenue surprise, NEI, number of consecutive quartersJegadeesh and Livnat (2006) with earnings increases,
Barth, Elliott, and Finn (1999)FP, failure probability, O, O-score, Dichev (1998)Campbell, Hilscher, and Szilagyi (2008)
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 22 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor ModelTesting portfolios across six categories, nearly 80
Panel E: Intangibles and other characteristics
OC/A, organizational capital-to-assets, BC/A, brand capital-to-assets,Eisfeldt and Papanikolaou (2013) Belo, Lin, and Vitorino (2014)Ad/M, advertisement expense-to-market, RD/S, R&D-to-sales,Chan, Lakonishok, and Sougiannis (2001) Chan, Lakonishok, and Sougiannis (2001)RD/M, R&D-to-market, RC/A, R&D capital-to-assets, Li (2011)Chan, Lakonishok, and Sougiannis (2001)H/N, hiring rate, OL, operating leverage,Belo, Lin, and Bazdresch (2014) Novy-Marx (2011)G , corporate governance, AccQ, accrual quality, Francis, Lafond,Gompers, Ishii, and Metrick (2003) Olsson, and Schipper (2005)Ind, industries, Fama and French (1997)
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 23 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor ModelTesting portfolios across six categories, nearly 80
Panel F: Trading frictions
ME, the market equity, Ivol, idiosyncratic volatility,Banz (1981) Ang, Hodrick, Xing, and Zhang (2006)Tvol, total volatility, Svol, systematic volatility,Ang, Hodrick, Xing, and Zhang (2006) Ang, Hodrick, Xing, and Zhang (2006)MDR, maximum daily return, β, market beta,Bali, Cakici, and Whitelaw (2011) Frazzini and Pedersen (2014)D-β, Dimson's beta, Dimson (1979) S-Rev, short-term reversal, Jegadeesh (1990)Disp, dispersion of analysts' Turn, share turnover,earnings forecasts, Datar, Naik, and Radcli�e (1998)Diether, Malloy, and Scherbina (2002)1/P, 1/share price, Dvol, dollar trading volume,Miller and Scholes (1982) Brennan, Chordia, and Subrahmanyam (1998)Illiq, Absolute return-to-volume,Amihud (2002)
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 24 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor ModelOverview of empirical results
About one half of nearly 80 anomalies are insigni�cant with NYSEbreakpoints and value-weighted decile returns
Across 35 signi�cant anomalies, the q-factor model outperforms theFama-French 3-factor and Carhart models:
The average magnitude of high-minus-low alphas: .2% per month inq, .33% in Carhart, and .55% in Fama-French
The number of signi�cant high-minus-low alphas: 5 in q, 19 inCarhart, and 27 in Fama-French
The number of rejections by the GRS test: 20 in q, 24 in Carhart, and28 in Fama-French
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 25 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor ModelInsigni�cant anomalies in the broad cross section
R6-1 A/ME Rev EF/P D/P O/P SG LTG ACI NXF
m 0.48 0.43 −0.39 0.45 0.27 0.35 −0.27 0.01 −0.27 −0.30tm 1.43 1.82 −1.57 1.73 0.94 1.53 −1.34 0.02 −1.70 −1.55
TA RNA PM ATO CTO F TES TI/BI RS O
m −0.19 0.13 0.10 0.22 0.20 0.37 0.32 0.13 0.29 −0.08tm −1.31 0.61 0.40 1.11 1.11 1.28 1.92 0.86 1.82 −0.37
BC/A RD/S RC/A H/N G AccQ ME Ivol Tvol MDR
m 0.18 0.01 0.32 −0.25 0.03 −0.18 −0.24 −0.54 −0.37 −0.31tm 0.73 0.06 1.27 −1.47 0.09 −0.79 −0.90 −1.56 −0.95 −0.94
β D-β S-Rev Disp Turn 1/P Dvol Illiq
m −0.13 0.07 −0.31 −0.33 −0.12 −0.00 −0.26 0.27tm −0.36 0.30 −1.39 −1.24 −0.43 −0.01 −1.30 1.14
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 26 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor ModelSigni�cant anomalies in the momentum category
SUE-1 SUE-6 Abr-1 Abr-6 RE-1 RE-6 R6-6 R11-1 I-Mom |ave|
m 0.45 0.24 0.73 0.30 0.89 0.60 0.85 1.18 0.51αFF 0.55 0.39 0.84 0.38 1.20 0.94 1.12 1.52 0.68 0.85αC 0.34 0.18 0.62 0.19 0.56 0.37 0.06 0.09 −0.18 0.29αq 0.16 0.02 0.64 0.26 0.12 0.03 0.24 0.24 0.00 0.19
tm 3.59 2.17 5.50 3.11 3.43 2.58 3.17 3.52 2.33tFF 4.50 3.62 5.93 3.89 4.81 4.52 4.47 4.99 3.25tC 2.62 1.69 4.37 2.06 2.56 2.15 0.51 0.67 −1.11tq 1.12 0.18 4.07 2.18 0.43 0.14 0.71 0.54 0.01
|αFF | 0.17 0.13 0.16 0.11 0.27 0.23 0.19 0.26 0.15 0.19
|αC | 0.11 0.09 0.12 0.08 0.11 0.09 0.10 0.13 0.06 0.10
|αq| 0.05 0.07 0.13 0.07 0.10 0.11 0.08 0.13 0.13 0.10
pFF 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.09pC 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.16 0.12 0.00 0.00 0.45pq 0.42 0.04 0.00 0.02 0.46 0.08 0.00 0.01 0.03
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 27 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor Modelq-factor loadings and q-characteristics, anomalies in the momentum category
SUE-1 SUE-6 Abr-1 Abr-6 RE-1 RE-6 R6-6 R11-1 I-Mom
βMKT −0.08 −0.06 −0.06 −0.03 −0.05 −0.07 −0.09 −0.14 −0.11βME 0.10 0.09 0.07 0.09 −0.15 −0.19 0.27 0.40 0.31βI/A 0.02 −0.11 −0.13 −0.16 0.04 −0.12 −0.07 0.04 −0.03βROE 0.48 0.45 0.28 0.18 1.33 1.12 1.02 1.48 0.82tβMKT −1.82 −1.53 −1.31 −1.20 −0.76 −1.24 −1.17 −1.43 −1.72tβME 1.94 1.27 0.67 1.82 −1.42 −1.98 1.43 1.74 1.86tβI/A 0.18 −0.97 −1.25 −2.24 0.25 −0.82 −0.27 0.12 −0.13tβROE 5.75 5.95 3.26 2.94 10.09 9.96 5.31 5.67 4.90
ME 0.69 0.75 −0.01 0.03 0.77 0.87 0.40 0.52 0.62I/A −1.46 −0.96 −1.37 −1.13 −0.80 0.72 −4.07 −3.83 −1.18ROE 5.80 3.38 1.59 1.49 6.58 6.47 4.14 5.34 1.61tME 4.91 5.38 −0.29 1.31 8.75 9.65 4.92 4.95 3.67tI/A −3.30 −2.57 −2.36 −2.58 −1.22 1.13 −5.54 −4.66 −1.79tROE 16.46 19.07 13.38 15.47 29.77 27.86 16.00 17.06 10.24
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 28 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor ModelSigni�cant anomalies in the value minus growth category
B/M E/P CF/P NO/P Dur |ave|
m 0.70 0.59 0.52 0.66 −0.54αFF 0.01 0.05 0.01 0.52 −0.06 0.13αC −0.01 0.01 −0.06 0.49 −0.08 0.13αq 0.21 0.17 0.22 0.36 −0.27 0.25
tm 2.88 2.63 2.44 3.23 −2.59tFF 0.04 0.34 0.08 3.51 −0.44tC −0.06 0.03 −0.40 3.33 −0.56tq 1.15 0.76 1.04 2.38 −1.32|αFF | 0.07 0.10 0.08 0.17 0.11 0.11
|αC | 0.06 0.09 0.07 0.15 0.08 0.09
|αq| 0.08 0.10 0.14 0.12 0.08 0.10
pFF 0.19 0.18 0.43 0.00 0.15pC 0.29 0.38 0.37 0.00 0.41pq 0.35 0.13 0.02 0.00 0.72
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 29 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor Modelq-factor loadings and q-characteristics, the value versus growth anomalies
B/M E/P CF/P NO/P Dur
βMKT −0.03 −0.12 −0.15 −0.18 0.11βME 0.46 0.25 0.19 −0.32 −0.23βI/A 1.45 0.99 1.01 1.03 −0.85βROE −0.51 −0.09 −0.24 0.02 0.24tβMKT −0.59 −2.02 −2.41 −3.86 1.67tβME 5.37 1.90 1.66 −4.40 −1.61tβI/A 12.74 5.76 6.79 10.25 −5.69tβROE −5.98 −0.66 −1.78 0.19 1.87
ME −2.46 −0.73 −0.89 1.23 0.41I/A −9.70 −1.11 −5.63 −14.43 3.95ROE −5.68 0.21 −0.72 1.18 0.49tME −10.31 −4.09 −4.57 7.74 5.23tI/A −17.06 −1.20 −5.47 −13.81 2.73tROE −29.57 1.30 −4.83 7.27 2.22
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 30 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor ModelSigni�cant anomalies in the investment category
I/A NOA 4PI/A IG NSI CEI IvG IvC OA POA PTA |ave|
m −0.42 −0.38 −0.51 −0.41 −0.68 −0.57 −0.41 −0.45 −0.30 −0.46 −0.40αFF −0.15 −0.52 −0.41 −0.26 −0.64 −0.50 −0.29 −0.38 −0.37 −0.32 −0.29 0.38αC −0.09 −0.41 −0.36 −0.20 −0.54 −0.40 −0.19 −0.30 −0.33 −0.25 −0.27 0.30αq 0.14 −0.38 −0.26 0.05 −0.26 −0.22 −0.03 −0.28 −0.56 −0.12 −0.10 0.22
tm −2.45 −2.55 −3.43 −2.93 −4.13 −2.96 −2.77 −3.05 −2.32 −3.02 −2.57tFF −1.09 −3.30 −2.93 −1.99 −4.28 −3.72 −2.10 −2.61 −2.84 −2.42 −2.06tC −0.61 −2.69 −2.48 −1.51 −3.58 −2.93 −1.34 −1.97 −2.32 −1.88 −1.82tq 1.08 −1.90 −1.85 0.39 −1.75 −1.50 −0.20 −1.84 −3.90 −0.87 −0.67|αFF | 0.12 0.17 0.13 0.13 0.18 0.15 0.11 0.12 0.13 0.11 0.11 0.13
|αC | 0.10 0.14 0.12 0.11 0.15 0.15 0.10 0.10 0.12 0.11 0.10 0.12
|αq| 0.09 0.12 0.14 0.09 0.11 0.12 0.11 0.08 0.15 0.12 0.08 0.11
pFF 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.01pC 0.02 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.11 0.04 0.00 0.01 0.02pq 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.08 0.56 0.00 0.00 0.11
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 31 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor Modelq-factor loadings and q-characteristics, anomalies in the investment category
I/A NOA 4PI/A IG NSI CEI IvG IvC OA POA PTA
βMKT 0.02 −0.02 0.05 −0.02 0.04 0.24 −0.03 0.04 0.03 −0.01 0.06βME −0.11 0.06 −0.05 −0.11 0.17 0.26 0.12 0.00 0.28 0.15 0.21βI/A −1.37 −0.01 −0.77 −0.82 −0.68 −1.06 −0.96 −0.65 −0.02 −0.90 −0.90βROE 0.15 −0.01 0.16 −0.07 −0.32 −0.12 0.05 0.18 0.29 0.05 0.04tβMKT 0.62 −0.55 1.33 −0.71 0.99 6.27 −0.77 1.01 0.80 −0.19 1.50tβME −1.81 0.54 −0.94 −1.95 2.24 3.79 2.85 −0.07 4.41 3.20 3.28tβI/A −15.50 −0.04 −6.98 −10.91 −6.14 −13.11 −11.81 −5.49 −0.21 −9.61 −8.72tβROE 2.29 −0.12 1.93 −1.06 −4.07 −1.42 0.56 1.95 4.59 1.04 0.55
ME 0.88 0.07 0.63 0.22 −1.37 −1.79 0.26 0.19 −0.24 −0.36 −0.36I/A 83.89 55.72 61.16 34.03 27.04 14.80 37.85 44.80 10.15 11.12 16.14ROE 1.63 −1.24 0.84 0.50 −1.71 −1.41 0.42 1.07 0.88 1.02 0.36tME 7.75 1.71 7.56 6.16 −6.44 −7.77 4.27 4.86 −5.13 −9.39 −6.76tI/A 32.74 18.28 30.77 22.38 13.85 14.37 23.42 34.89 5.19 7.90 12.93tROE 10.00 −7.89 5.10 3.24 −11.87 −9.07 3.31 8.13 5.06 7.42 2.56
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 32 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor ModelSigni�cant anomalies in the pro�tability category
ROE ROA GP/A NEI FP |ave|
m 0.80 0.62 0.34 0.39 −0.67αFF 1.17 1.00 0.50 0.63 −1.44 0.95αC 0.85 0.67 0.45 0.43 −0.67 0.61αq 0.05 0.09 0.11 0.18 −0.17 0.12
tm 3.11 2.70 2.18 3.31 −1.98tFF 5.43 5.40 3.25 6.03 −6.44tC 4.03 3.59 2.85 3.73 −3.79tq 0.37 0.72 0.71 1.68 −0.57|αFF | 0.24 0.23 0.14 0.23 0.23 0.21
|αC | 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.15 0.12 0.14
|αq| 0.09 0.07 0.11 0.09 0.13 0.10
pFF 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00pC 0.00 0.04 0.01 0.00 0.00pq 0.05 0.75 0.38 0.05 0.00
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 33 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor Modelq-factor loadings and q-characteristics, anomalies in the pro�tability category
ROE ROA GP/A NEI FP
βMKT −0.10 −0.14 0.05 0.02 0.44βME −0.41 −0.38 0.03 −0.10 0.43βI/A 0.10 −0.10 −0.24 −0.30 0.17βROE 1.50 1.31 0.52 0.63 −1.61tβMKT −2.57 −4.48 1.20 0.88 6.46tβME −6.56 −6.41 0.51 −2.53 2.45tβI/A 1.05 −1.23 −2.35 −3.78 0.63
tβROE 20.71 16.86 7.08 10.83 −8.79ME 2.81 2.66 0.39 2.34 −3.09I/A 3.56 5.32 −1.29 5.35 −3.91ROE 16.95 14.71 3.94 4.32 −8.74tME 10.56 10.50 10.84 11.58 −10.76tI/A 4.16 6.88 −2.05 11.45 −4.18tROE 29.02 27.97 23.88 27.36 −25.56
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 34 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor ModelSigni�cant anomalies in the intangibles and trading frictions categories
OC/A Ad/M RD/M OL Svol |ave|
m 0.56 0.79 0.63 0.39 −0.60αFF 0.61 0.15 0.22 0.37 −0.66 0.40αC 0.40 0.32 0.31 0.33 −0.62 0.40αq 0.09 0.11 0.60 −0.05 −0.37 0.24
tm 4.07 2.96 2.31 2.06 −2.57tFF 4.52 0.79 0.93 1.91 −2.88tC 2.97 1.37 1.40 1.76 −2.59tq 0.66 0.39 2.40 −0.27 −1.42|αFF | 0.15 0.13 0.17 0.11 0.19 0.15
|αC | 0.13 0.18 0.21 0.12 0.16 0.16
|αq| 0.11 0.11 0.27 0.12 0.11 0.14
pFF 0.00 0.18 0.02 0.07 0.01pC 0.00 0.07 0.01 0.06 0.06pq 0.02 0.07 0.00 0.09 0.20
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 35 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor Modelq-factor loadings and q-characteristics, intangibles and trading frictions anomalies
OC/A Ad/M RD/M OL Svol
βMKT −0.13 0.04 0.16 −0.06 0.04βME 0.25 0.50 0.66 0.26 0.31βI/A 0.35 1.42 0.21 0.16 −0.21βROE 0.51 −0.27 −0.58 0.54 −0.43tβMKT −3.74 0.50 2.51 −1.22 0.53tβME 5.69 2.85 6.75 2.63 2.30tβI/A 3.52 6.03 1.21 1.34 −1.30tβROE 7.12 −1.37 −4.10 4.85 −3.54ME −1.31 −1.34 −4.39 −1.31 −0.19I/A −13.77 −10.71 −3.22 −5.71 0.66ROE 1.52 −3.33 −2.80 1.86 −0.64tME −9.44 −9.83 −9.47 −8.43 −3.95tI/A −11.38 −12.17 −2.54 −4.70 1.37tROE 7.97 −12.60 −9.21 11.42 −4.03
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 36 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor Model25 size and book-to-market portfolios
Low 2 3 4 High H−L Low 2 3 4 High H−L
m αFF (|αFF | = 0.10)
Small 0.08 0.72 0.84 0.95 1.11 1.02 −0.54 0.02 0.13 0.18 0.16 0.702 0.32 0.69 0.86 0.87 0.99 0.67 −0.21 0.00 0.09 0.07 0.04 0.253 0.38 0.71 0.77 0.77 1.02 0.65 −0.09 0.04 0.03 0.00 0.13 0.224 0.52 0.59 0.73 0.74 0.84 0.32 0.14 −0.02 0.03 0.00 0.02 −0.12Big 0.40 0.54 0.54 0.61 0.56 0.16 0.16 0.11 0.09 0.00 −0.16 −0.32
tm tFF (pFF = 0.00)
Small 0.20 2.02 2.57 3.07 3.30 4.59 −4.84 0.23 1.58 2.53 1.97 5.662 0.90 2.20 3.03 3.29 3.31 2.93 −2.59 0.01 1.36 0.92 0.45 2.193 1.15 2.49 3.03 3.05 3.93 2.76 −1.21 0.52 0.35 0.02 1.28 1.704 1.73 2.35 2.91 3.08 3.24 1.43 1.74 −0.23 0.27 0.03 0.17 −0.87Big 1.70 2.53 2.71 3.04 2.43 0.79 2.66 1.29 0.92 −0.02 −1.31 −2.32
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 37 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor Model25 size and book-to-market portfolios
Low 2 3 4 High H−L Low 2 3 4 High H−L
αC (|αC | = 0.11) αq (|αq| = 0.11)
Small −0.48 0.03 0.12 0.18 0.22 0.70 −0.25 0.27 0.31 0.30 0.32 0.572 −0.18 0.03 0.09 0.10 0.04 0.22 −0.14 0.02 0.03 0.07 0.10 0.243 −0.04 0.04 0.09 0.03 0.16 0.20 −0.01 −0.03 −0.04 −0.01 0.14 0.154 0.15 −0.01 0.07 0.03 0.09 −0.06 0.18 −0.14 −0.01 0.02 0.06 −0.12Big 0.17 0.07 0.07 −0.03 −0.13 −0.31 0.10 −0.04 0.06 −0.01 −0.04 −0.13
tC (pC = 0.00) tq (pq = 0.00)
Small −4.00 0.36 1.58 2.59 2.53 5.72 −1.48 2.24 3.09 3.68 2.72 2.912 −2.28 0.37 1.34 1.40 0.44 1.88 −1.21 0.29 0.37 0.67 0.89 1.253 −0.50 0.53 0.93 0.28 1.40 1.43 −0.09 −0.30 −0.37 −0.05 1.16 0.924 1.87 −0.16 0.74 0.24 0.75 −0.42 1.50 −1.58 −0.06 0.21 0.44 −0.61Big 2.89 0.91 0.70 −0.36 −1.02 −2.12 1.32 −0.49 0.65 −0.06 −0.23 −0.70
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 38 / 115
The q-Factor Model
The q-Factor ModelThe key contribution of Hou, Xue, and Zhang (2015a)
The q-factor model largely summarizes the cross section of average stockreturns, capturing most (but not all) anomalies that plague theFama-French 3-factor model
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 39 / 115
Factors War
Outline
1 The q-Factor Model
2 Factors WarThe Empire Strikes BackConceptual ComparisonEmpirical ComparisonLagging the De�ator: The Irrelevance of Gross Pro�tabilityIndependent Comparison
3 Understanding the Low Risk Anomaly
4 Notes
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 40 / 115
Factors War
Factors WarA quote from German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer (1788�1860)
�All truth passes through threestages. First, it is ridiculed. Second,it is violently opposed. Third, it isaccepted as being self-evident.�
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 41 / 115
Factors War The Empire Strikes Back
Factors WarThe Fama-French (2015a, b) �ve-factor model
rit − rft = ai + bi MKTt + si SMBt + hi HMLt + ri RMWt + ci CMAt + eit
MKTt , SMBt ,HMLt ,RMWt , and CMAt are the market, size, value,pro�tability, and investment factors, respectively
bi , si , hi , ri , and ci are factor loadings
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 42 / 115
Factors War The Empire Strikes Back
Factors WarThe q-factor model predates the Fama-French �ve-factor model by 3�6 years
Neoclassical factors July 2007
An equilibrium three-factor model January 2009Production-based factors April 2009A better three-factor model June 2009
that explains more anomaliesAn alternative three-factor model April 2010, April 2011
Digesting anomalies: An investment approach October 2012 , August 2014
Fama and French (2013): A four-factor model for June 2013the size, value, and pro�tabilitypatterns in stock returns
Fama and French (2014): November 2013 , September 2014
A �ve-factor asset pricing model
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 43 / 115
Factors War The Empire Strikes Back
Factors WarExcerpts from Swedroe's �Battle of New Factor Models�
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Index Investor Corner
Swedroe: Battle Of New Factor ModelsByLarry SwedroeAugust 07, 2015Share:
In their groundbreaking paper, “Digesting Anomalies: An Investment Approach,” Kewei Hou, Chen Xue and Lu Zhang proposed a new four-factor asset pricing model that goes a long way toward explaining many of the anomalies neither the Fama-French three-factor nor subsequent four-factor models could explain.
The study, which was published in the March 2015 issue of The Review of Financial Studies, covered the period 1972 through 2012.
The authors called their model the q-factor model. Specifically, their four factors are:
• The market excess return (beta)• The difference between the return on a portfolio of small-cap stocks and the return on a
portfolio of large-cap stocks• The difference between the return on a portfolio of low-investment stocks and the
return on a portfolio of high-investment stocks
Page 1 of 7
12/5/2015http://www.etf.com/sections/index-investor-corner/swedroe-battle-new-factor-models?nop...
�Fama & French Examine The Q-Model�
�Through their research, �nancialeconomists continue to advance ourunderstanding of how �nancial marketswork and how prices are set. TheFama-French three-factor model was asigni�cant improvement on thesingle-factor capital asset pricing model.Mark Carhart moved the needle further byadding momentum as a fourth factor. Andthe authors of the q-theory have madefurther signi�cant advancements, which inturn motivated the development of thecompeting FF �ve-factor model (myemphasis).�
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 44 / 115
Factors War The Empire Strikes Back
Factors WarA little dark humor
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 45 / 115
Factors War The Empire Strikes Back
Factors WarFactor construction
SMB, HML, RMW, and CMA from double 2× 3 sorts from interacting sizewith B/M, OP, and Inv
Size: Stock price times shares outstanding from CRSP
B/M: Per Davis, Fama, and French (2000)
OP: Revenues minus costs of goods sold, SG&A, and interest expense,all divided by current book equity
Inv: Annual changes in total assets divided by lagged assets
All annual sorts
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 46 / 115
Factors War The Empire Strikes Back
Factors WarMotivation from valuation theory
Motivation from the Miller-Modigliani (1961) valuation model:
Pit
Bit=
∑∞τ=1 E [Yit+τ −4Bit+τ ]/(1 + ri )
τ
Bit,
Fama and French (2006, 2015a) derive three predictions:
A lower Pit/Bit means a higher ri , all else equal
A higher E [Yit+τ ] means a higher ri , all else equal
A higher E [4Bit+τ ]/Bit means a lower ri , all else equal
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 47 / 115
Factors War Conceptual Comparison
Factors WarCritique I: IRR 6= the one-period-ahead expected return
Fama and French (2015a, p. 2): �Most asset pricing research focuses onshort-horizon returns�we use a one-month horizon in our tests. If eachstock's short-horizon expected return is positively related to its internalrate of return�if, for example, the expected return is the same for allhorizons�the valuation equation... (our emphasis).�
Assumption clearly contradicting price and earnings momentum
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 48 / 115
Factors War Conceptual Comparison
Factors WarIRR estimates per Gebhardt, Lee, and Swaminathan (2001)
2× 3 2× 2 2× 2× 2× 2
Return IRR Di� Return IRR Di� Return IRR Di�
SMB 0.26 0.06 0.20 0.27 0.07 0.20 0.25 0.05 0.20[t] 1.89 9.61 1.45 1.89 10.18 1.43 1.94 9.98 1.56HML 0.23 0.27 −0.04 0.17 0.19 −0.02 0.17 0.19 −0.02[t] 1.38 40.30 −0.23 1.42 35.93 −0.14 1.37 40.11 −0.12RMW 0.32 −0.08 0.40 0.21 −0.06 0.27 0.23 0.01 0.22
[t] 2.65 −15.74 3.34 2.63 −13.25 3.38 2.78 4.18 2.64
CMA 0.28 0.05 0.23 0.20 0.03 0.17 0.17 −0.01 0.18[t] 2.75 9.22 2.27 2.67 8.83 2.25 2.68 −3.46 2.84
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 49 / 115
Factors War Conceptual Comparison
Factors WarCritique II: HML separate in theory but redundant in the data
HML redundant in Fama and French (2015a), inconsistent with theirmotivation based on valuation theory
Consistent with the investment CAPM:
Et [rSit+1] =
Et [Πit+1/Ait+1] + 1
1 + a(Iit/Ait),
in which the denominator = Pit/Bit
Without the redundant HML, the �ve-factor model becomes (a noisyversion of) the q-factor model
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 50 / 115
Factors War Conceptual Comparison
Factors WarCritique III: The expected investment-return relation is likely positive
Reformulating valuation theory with Et [rit+1]:
Pit =Et [Yit+1 −4Bit+1] + Et [Pit+1]
1 + Et [rit+1],
Pit
Bit=
Et
[Yit+1
Bit
]− Et
[4Bit+1
Bit
]+ Et
[Pit+1
Bit+1
(1 + 4Bit+1
Bit
)]1 + Et [rit+1]
,
Pit
Bit=
Et
[Yit+1
Bit
]+ Et
[4Bit+1
Bit
(Pit+1
Bit+1− 1)]
+ Et
[Pit+1
Bit+1
]1 + Et [rit+1]
.
Recursive substitution: A positive Et [4Bit+τ/Bit ]-Et [rit+1] relation
Evidence: Lettau and Ludvigson (2002), Fama and French (2006)
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 51 / 115
Factors War Conceptual Comparison
Factors WarCritique IV: Past investment does not forecast future investment
Total assets ≥ $5 millions and book equity ≥ $2.5 millions
Bit+τ−Bit+τ−1Bit+τ−1
∣∣∣ 4TAitTAit−1
Bit+τ−Bit+τ−1Bit+τ−1
∣∣∣ 4BitBit−1
OPit+τ |OPit
τ γ0 γ1 R2 γ0 γ1 R2 γ0 γ1 R2
1 0.09 0.22 0.05 0.09 0.21 0.06 0.03 0.80 0.55
2 0.10 0.10 0.01 0.10 0.10 0.02 0.06 0.67 0.36
3 0.10 0.07 0.01 0.10 0.06 0.01 0.07 0.59 0.28
4 0.10 0.05 0.00 0.10 0.06 0.00 0.09 0.53 0.22
5 0.10 0.05 0.00 0.10 0.03 0.00 0.10 0.49 0.19
6 0.10 0.05 0.00 0.10 0.03 0.00 0.10 0.46 0.16
7 0.10 0.05 0.00 0.10 0.03 0.00 0.11 0.43 0.14
8 0.10 0.03 0.00 0.10 0.01 0.00 0.12 0.40 0.12
9 0.10 0.03 0.00 0.10 0.01 0.00 0.12 0.38 0.12
10 0.09 0.04 0.00 0.10 0.02 0.00 0.13 0.37 0.11
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 52 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarFactor spanning tests, q-factors, 1/1967�12/2014
m αC βMKT βSMB βHML βUMD
rME 0.32 0.01 0.01 0.97 0.17 0.03(2.42) (0.25) (1.08) (67.08) (7.21) (1.87)
rI/A 0.43 0.29 −0.06 −0.04 0.41 0.05(5.08) (4.57) (−4.51) (−1.88) (13.36) (1.93)
rROE 0.56 0.51 −0.04 −0.30 −0.12 0.27(5.24) (5.58) (−1.39) (−4.31) (−1.79) (6.19)
α5 b s h r c
rME 0.05 0.00 0.98 0.02 −0.01 0.04(1.39) (0.39) (68.34) (1.14) (−0.21) (1.19)
rI/A 0.12 0.01 −0.05 0.04 0.07 0.82(3.35) (0.73) (−2.86) (1.60) (2.77) (26.52)
rROE 0.45 −0.04 −0.11 −0.24 0.75 0.13(5.60) (−1.45) (−2.69) (−3.54) (13.46) (1.34)
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 53 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarFactor spanning tests, new Fama-French factors, 1/1967�12/2014
m αC βMKT βSMB βHML βUMD
SMB 0.28 −0.02 0.00 1.00 0.13 0.00(1.92) (−1.24) (0.96) (89.87) (8.07) (0.11)
HML 0.36 −0.00 0.00 −0.00 1.00 −0.00(2.57) (−1.79) (1.79) (−1.69) (13282.85) (−0.87)
RMW 0.27 0.33 −0.04 −0.28 −0.00 0.04(2.58) (3.31) (−1.32) (−3.20) (−0.03) (0.81)
CMA 0.34 0.19 −0.09 0.03 0.46 0.04(3.63) (2.83) (−4.42) (0.86) (13.52) (1.51)
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 54 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarFactor spanning tests, new Fama-French factors, 1/1967�12/2014
αq βMKT βME βI/A βROE
SMB 0.05 −0.00 0.94 −0.09 −0.10(1.48) (−0.17) (62.40) (−4.91) (−5.94)
HML 0.03 −0.05 0.00 1.03 −0.17(0.28) (−1.33) (0.03) (11.72) (−2.17)
RMW 0.04 −0.03 −0.12 −0.03 0.53(0.42) (−0.99) (−1.78) (−0.35) (8.59)
CMA 0.01 −0.05 0.04 0.94 −0.11(0.32) (−3.63) (1.68) (35.26) (−3.95)
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 55 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarAcross 36 signi�cant anomalies with NYSE breakpoints and value-weighted returns,Hou, Xue, and Zhang (2015b, A comparison of new factor models), 1/1967�12/2013
The average magnitude of high-minus-low alphas:.20% in q, .36% in FF5, .33% in Carhart
The number of signi�cant high-minus-low alphas:7 in q, 19 in FF5, 21 in Carhart
The number of rejections by the GRS test:25 in q, FF5, and Carhart
The q-factor model outperforms the �ve-factor model the most in themomentum and pro�tability categories
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 56 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarSigni�cant momentum anomalies with NYSE-VW, alphas
SUE-1 Abr-1 Abr-6 RE-1 RE-6 R6-6 R11-1 I-Mom |ave|m 0.41 0.73 0.30 0.78 0.52 0.83 1.20 0.58 0.67αC 0.35 0.62 0.18 0.49 0.31 0.07 0.18 −0.11 0.29
αq 0.15 0.64 0.26 0.06 −0.02 0.22 0.26 0.03 0.21
a 0.44 0.85 0.44 0.86 0.66 0.97 1.25 0.61 0.76tm 3.65 5.58 3.10 3.05 2.35 3.44 4.00 2.91tC 2.95 4.40 2.04 2.38 1.83 0.70 1.41 −0.72 4
tq 1.12 4.21 2.25 0.22 −0.07 0.68 0.65 0.11 2
ta 3.74 5.87 4.23 3.23 2.86 3.38 3.45 2.45 8
|αC | 0.10 0.12 0.08 0.10 0.09 0.09 0.13 0.05 0.10
|αq| 0.06 0.13 0.07 0.11 0.12 0.09 0.15 0.12 0.11
|a| 0.11 0.16 0.08 0.20 0.17 0.17 0.23 0.21 0.17pC 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.06 0.00 0.00 0.41 5pq 0.39 0.00 0.01 0.16 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.03 6pa 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 8
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 57 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarSigni�cant momentum anomalies with NYSE-VW, betas
SUE-1 Abr-1 Abr-6 RE-1 RE-6 R6-6 R11-1 I-Mom
βME 0.10 0.07 0.08 −0.19 −0.18 0.22 0.33 0.25βI/A 0.03 −0.14 −0.17 0.09 −0.07 0.01 0.12 0.09
βROE 0.46 0.28 0.18 1.31 1.10 1.01 1.46 0.82tβME 1.88 0.70 1.81 −2.11 −1.98 1.25 1.53 1.55tβI/A 0.32 −1.31 −2.27 0.52 −0.45 0.06 0.39 0.39
tβROE 5.76 3.18 2.86 9.82 9.36 5.40 5.80 4.95s −0.03 −0.05 0.01 −0.42 −0.40 −0.08 −0.05 0.01h −0.17 −0.20 −0.12 −0.16 −0.27 −0.54 −0.71 −0.37r 0.14 −0.11 −0.12 0.55 0.41 0.11 0.35 0.12c 0.18 0.13 −0.07 −0.02 0.02 0.39 0.67 0.39ts −0.45 −0.63 0.16 −3.79 −4.23 −0.56 −0.27 0.06th −1.67 −1.80 −1.74 −0.94 −1.76 −2.44 −2.47 −1.79tr 1.75 −1.15 −1.73 3.28 2.80 0.44 1.13 0.51tc 1.25 0.84 −0.60 −0.05 0.07 1.25 1.62 1.24
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 58 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarSigni�cant value anomalies with NYSE-VW, alphas
B/M Rev E/P CF/P NO/P Dur |ave|m 0.64 −0.46 0.55 0.46 0.65 −0.46 0.54αC −0.05 −0.07 −0.02 −0.10 0.51 0.01 0.13
αq 0.16 −0.16 0.11 0.15 0.36 −0.18 0.19
a −0.02 0.08 0.05 0.01 0.22 −0.05 0.07tm 2.88 −2.02 2.67 2.30 3.27 −2.39tC −0.42 −0.39 −0.13 −0.76 3.45 0.09 1
tq 0.96 −0.93 0.53 0.77 2.45 −0.92 1
ta −0.17 0.45 0.37 0.09 1.57 −0.34 0
|αC | 0.07 0.10 0.08 0.07 0.15 0.06 0.09
|αq| 0.09 0.08 0.12 0.15 0.12 0.08 0.11
|a| 0.06 0.05 0.09 0.13 0.11 0.05 0.08pC 0.08 0.26 0.15 0.11 0.00 0.43 1pq 0.13 0.25 0.04 0.00 0.00 0.36 3pa 0.44 0.42 0.13 0.03 0.00 0.72 2
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 59 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarSigni�cant value anomalies with NYSE-VW, betas
B/M Rev E/P CF/P NO/P Dur
βME 0.48 −0.64 0.29 0.20 −0.32 −0.26βI/A 1.40 −1.17 1.01 1.00 1.03 −0.86βROE −0.53 0.72 −0.11 −0.26 0.02 0.27tβME 5.86 −7.83 2.34 1.91 −4.31 −1.93tβI/A 13.01 −10.49 6.27 7.31 10.33 −6.36tβROE −6.24 7.47 −0.78 −2.03 0.21 2.22s 0.52 −0.67 0.32 0.25 −0.25 −0.32h 1.16 −0.47 1.38 1.29 0.46 −1.18r −0.27 0.39 0.16 0.00 0.51 0.02c 0.33 −0.77 −0.38 −0.24 0.54 0.29ts 10.93 −6.65 5.96 4.92 −3.96 −5.04th 15.84 −3.70 14.16 14.05 5.57 −11.93tr −3.80 4.44 2.14 0.01 6.83 0.25tc 3.06 −4.57 −3.00 −1.93 4.33 2.28
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 60 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarSigni�cant investment anomalies with NYSE-VW, alphas
ACI I/A NOA 4PI/A IG NSI CEI IvG IvC OA POA PTA |ave|m −0.31 −0.46 −0.39 −0.50 −0.42 −0.72 −0.57 −0.38 −0.46 −0.28 −0.43 −0.42 0.45αC −0.19 −0.17 −0.43 −0.34 −0.21 −0.61 −0.45 −0.19 −0.31 −0.33 −0.24 −0.31 0.39
αq −0.17 0.09 −0.39 −0.23 0.02 −0.31 −0.25 −0.01 −0.28 −0.54 −0.09 −0.15 0.21
a −0.30 0.04 −0.44 −0.31 −0.08 −0.32 −0.25 −0.12 −0.38 −0.52 −0.12 −0.11 0.25
tm −2.12 −2.86 −2.82 −3.67 −3.33 −4.56 −3.18 −2.72 −3.30 −2.24 −3.08 −3.03tC −1.23 −1.20 −3.08 −2.55 −1.84 −4.35 −3.71 −1.37 −2.23 −2.46 −2.01 −2.29 8
tq −0.96 0.72 −2.10 −1.81 0.18 −2.22 −1.85 −0.09 −1.95 −3.81 −0.68 −1.03 3
ta −1.91 0.34 −2.62 −2.61 −0.75 −2.43 −2.33 −0.99 −2.92 −4.10 −1.03 −0.87 6
|αC | 0.11 0.10 0.14 0.11 0.10 0.15 0.14 0.09 0.10 0.11 0.12 0.11 0.12
|αq | 0.13 0.10 0.10 0.13 0.09 0.11 0.12 0.10 0.07 0.14 0.12 0.08 0.11
|a| 0.15 0.11 0.10 0.11 0.06 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.08 0.12 0.12 0.08 0.10pC 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.07 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.00 11pq 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.08 0.45 0.00 0.00 0.01 10pa 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.01 0.28 0.01 0.01 0.04 0.20 0.00 0.00 0.02 10
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 61 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarSigni�cant investment anomalies with NYSE-VW, betas
ACI I/A NOA 4PI/A IG NSI CEI IvG IvC OA POA PTAβME −0.29 −0.14 0.10 −0.08 −0.15 0.17 0.25 0.08 −0.01 0.29 0.14 0.15
βI/A 0.13 −1.37 −0.07 −0.79 −0.76 −0.72 −1.04 −0.94 −0.68 −0.05 −0.94 −0.86βROE −0.19 0.17 0.01 0.16 −0.07 −0.30 −0.11 0.05 0.18 0.27 0.06 0.05tβME
−4.99 −2.35 1.01 −1.63 −2.60 2.41 3.92 1.80 −0.13 4.85 3.32 2.44
tβI/A
1.01 −16.71 −0.48 −7.70 −10.41 −6.96 −14.03 −12.40 −6.09 −0.51 −10.91 −8.76tβROE
−2.10 2.58 0.08 2.02 −1.18 −3.85 −1.44 0.60 1.98 4.16 1.21 0.62
s −0.26 −0.10 0.16 −0.03 −0.13 0.12 0.24 0.11 0.07 0.31 0.18 0.11h 0.16 −0.18 0.46 0.01 −0.08 −0.12 −0.41 −0.08 0.03 0.01 −0.16 −0.23r −0.03 0.03 0.08 0.25 −0.14 −0.66 −0.41 0.07 0.35 0.40 −0.04 −0.23c −0.02 −1.14 −0.52 −0.75 −0.60 −0.57 −0.60 −0.74 −0.64 0.01 −0.75 −0.57ts −4.15 −1.52 2.25 −0.58 −2.53 2.58 4.82 2.12 1.29 5.90 4.41 1.76th 1.58 −2.56 5.11 0.16 −1.23 −1.89 −6.50 −0.91 0.39 0.14 −2.94 −2.36tr −0.33 0.34 0.64 3.62 −1.90 −9.56 −5.71 0.72 3.77 6.18 −0.63 −2.76tc −0.10 −10.88 −3.58 −6.88 −5.45 −5.36 −6.39 −7.32 −4.66 0.10 −8.47 −4.67
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 62 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarSigni�cant pro�tability anomalies with NYSE-VW, alphas
ROE ROA GP/A RS NEI |ave|m 0.68 0.58 0.40 0.31 0.38 0.47αC 0.79 0.64 0.51 0.49 0.42 0.57
αq −0.03 0.06 0.20 0.21 0.18 0.14
a 0.51 0.50 0.21 0.53 0.46 0.44tm 2.95 2.54 2.75 2.15 3.34tC 4.15 3.46 3.51 3.41 3.92 5
tq −0.24 0.49 1.39 1.41 1.72 0
ta 3.57 3.43 1.58 3.73 4.57 4
|αC | 0.15 0.13 0.15 0.12 0.13 0.14
|αq| 0.10 0.07 0.12 0.08 0.09 0.09
|a| 0.11 0.15 0.10 0.15 0.15 0.13pC 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 4pq 0.01 0.79 0.19 0.04 0.03 3pa 0.01 0.06 0.08 0.00 0.00 3
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 63 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarSigni�cant pro�tability anomalies with NYSE-VW, betas
ROE ROA GP/A RS NEI
βME −0.39 −0.38 0.04 −0.13 −0.09βI/A 0.08 −0.09 −0.31 −0.40 −0.32βROE 1.50 1.32 0.54 0.61 0.65tβME −6.44 −6.50 0.76 −2.41 −2.32tβI/A 0.88 −1.12 −3.21 −4.56 −4.36tβROE 21.14 17.12 7.58 7.99 11.41
s −0.48 −0.48 0.11 −0.25 −0.17h −0.27 −0.25 −0.45 −0.47 −0.35r 1.43 1.25 0.89 0.28 0.45c 0.20 0.03 0.19 −0.02 −0.08ts −6.22 −6.13 2.25 −4.12 −3.67th −2.57 −2.95 −4.46 −5.53 −5.45tr 12.18 10.52 9.56 3.33 6.49tc 1.27 0.18 1.46 −0.17 −0.77
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 64 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarSigni�cant intangibles-trading frictions anomalies with NYSE-VW, alphas
OC/A Ad/M RD/M OL Svol |ave|m 0.58 0.78 0.64 0.46 −0.55 0.60αC 0.41 0.31 0.31 0.39 −0.59 0.40
αq 0.13 0.11 0.60 0.02 −0.34 0.24
a 0.33 −0.06 0.38 0.09 −0.34 0.24tm 4.59 2.99 2.40 2.65 −2.46tC 3.34 1.38 1.43 2.28 −2.51 3
tq 1.03 0.40 2.46 0.14 −1.37 1
ta 2.61 −0.32 1.57 0.56 −1.36 1
|αC | 0.12 0.19 0.21 0.12 0.16 0.16
|αq| 0.11 0.11 0.27 0.11 0.11 0.14
|a| 0.11 0.12 0.21 0.09 0.11 0.13pC 0.00 0.08 0.00 0.02 0.03 4pq 0.01 0.09 0.00 0.03 0.13 3pa 0.00 0.28 0.00 0.06 0.25 2
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 65 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarSigni�cant intangibles-trading frictions anomalies with NYSE-VW, betas
OC/A Ad/M RD/M OL Svol
βME 0.24 0.51 0.66 0.30 0.31
βI/A 0.29 1.40 0.20 0.11 −0.21βROE 0.51 −0.26 −0.58 0.54 −0.42tβME 5.66 2.92 6.84 3.10 2.32
tβI/A 2.98 6.01 1.13 0.95 −1.32tβROE 6.92 −1.34 −4.08 4.88 −3.53s 0.21 0.65 0.60 0.37 0.25h −0.13 1.03 0.05 0.04 −0.06r 0.55 0.47 −0.52 0.89 −0.56c 0.40 0.14 0.41 0.06 −0.12ts 4.49 6.93 6.96 5.75 2.35th −1.70 7.17 0.33 0.44 −0.39tr 5.13 4.41 −2.86 10.50 −4.02tc 2.92 0.68 1.99 0.45 −0.57
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 66 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarSummary, NYSE-VW
Except for R&D-to-market, the q-factor model performs well relative to theFama-French �ve-factor model:
The q-factor model outperforms the �ve-factor model in themomentum and pro�tability categories by a big margin
The q-factor model outperforms in the investment category
The models largely comparable in the value-versus-growth category,but the �ve-factor model has a slight edge
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 67 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarAcross 50 signi�cant anomalies with all-but-micro breakpoints and equal-weighted returns
The average magnitude of high-minus-low alphas:.24% in q, .41% in FF5, .40% in Carhart
The number of signi�cant high-minus-low alphas:16 in q, 34 in FF5, 37 in Carhart
The number of rejections by the GRS test:37 for q, 35 for FF5, and 39 for Carhart
The q-factor model continues to outperform the �ve-factor model the mostin the momentum and pro�tability categories
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 68 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarSigni�cant momentum anomalies with ABM-EW, alphas
SUE-1 SUE-6 Abr-1 Abr-6 RE-1 RE-6 R6-1 R6-6 R11-1 I-Mom |ave|m 0.72 0.30 0.97 0.46 0.79 0.44 1.08 0.92 1.24 0.68 0.76αC 0.58 0.21 0.87 0.31 0.47 0.20 0.16 0.03 0.23 −0.01 0.31
αq 0.31 −0.04 0.85 0.31 0.26 −0.06 0.34 0.04 0.37 0.13 0.27
a 0.70 0.31 1.02 0.52 0.86 0.48 1.12 0.90 1.35 0.62 0.79tm 6.39 3.36 8.74 5.61 4.08 2.65 3.86 3.82 4.27 3.47tC 5.40 2.60 8.54 3.47 2.78 1.41 0.84 0.19 1.77 −0.08 5
tq 3.06 −0.53 5.55 2.14 1.53 −0.37 0.84 0.11 0.88 0.48 3
ta 6.50 3.41 7.94 4.68 4.62 2.87 3.10 2.68 3.62 2.44 10
|αC | 0.16 0.13 0.19 0.14 0.15 0.12 0.13 0.10 0.09 0.04 0.13
|αq| 0.11 0.10 0.19 0.17 0.13 0.15 0.16 0.14 0.11 0.10 0.14
|a| 0.19 0.08 0.19 0.11 0.23 0.14 0.18 0.16 0.27 0.21 0.18pC 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.16 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.30 8pq 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.20 9pa 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 10
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 69 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarSigni�cant momentum anomalies with ABM-EW, betas
SUE-1 SUE-6 Abr-1 Abr-6 RE-1 RE-6 R6-1 R6-6 R11-1 I-Mom
βME 0.01 −0.03 0.10 0.13 0.04 −0.01 0.53 0.47 0.52 0.33βI/A 0.13 0.07 0.00 −0.05 −0.15 −0.09 0.02 0.12 −0.06 0.16
βROE 0.62 0.56 0.22 0.25 0.94 0.87 1.16 1.21 1.36 0.70tβME 0.26 −0.91 1.35 2.07 0.72 −0.21 1.85 2.30 2.13 1.88tβI/A 2.17 1.35 0.01 −0.48 −1.35 −1.03 0.04 0.41 −0.17 0.69
tβROE 8.42 12.45 2.80 3.12 8.78 11.16 4.07 5.10 5.14 4.02s −0.13 −0.15 0.01 0.03 −0.12 −0.16 0.20 0.11 0.14 0.11h −0.21 −0.19 −0.19 −0.14 −0.08 −0.13 −0.67 −0.60 −0.87 −0.35r 0.25 0.23 −0.07 −0.02 0.30 0.32 0.22 0.26 0.19 0.10c 0.26 0.15 0.23 0.04 −0.23 −0.13 0.65 0.57 0.65 0.49ts −2.58 −3.43 0.19 0.66 −1.38 −2.34 0.91 0.74 0.76 0.74th −2.32 −2.66 −2.20 −1.93 −0.56 −1.10 −1.95 −2.23 −2.83 −1.60tr 4.00 4.25 −0.72 −0.19 2.89 3.58 0.47 0.76 0.50 0.36tc 2.46 1.62 1.88 0.26 −1.07 −0.70 1.30 1.38 1.47 1.55
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 70 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarSigni�cant value anomalies with ABM-EW, alphas
B/M E/P CF/P NO/P Dur A/ME Rev |ave|m 0.77 0.65 0.73 0.64 −0.64 0.67 −0.64 0.68αC 0.17 0.29 0.25 0.42 −0.17 0.02 −0.22 0.22
αq 0.06 0.25 0.20 0.20 −0.01 −0.17 −0.30 0.17
a −0.01 0.18 0.13 0.24 −0.06 −0.26 −0.20 0.15tm 3.29 3.20 3.46 3.46 −2.93 2.56 −3.50tC 1.35 2.48 1.87 3.41 −1.15 0.10 −1.31 2
tq 0.27 1.33 0.96 1.46 −0.04 −0.69 −1.89 0
ta −0.12 1.46 0.95 1.94 −0.49 −1.85 −1.30 0
|αC | 0.13 0.15 0.15 0.19 0.14 0.13 0.13 0.15
|αq| 0.14 0.06 0.06 0.11 0.11 0.14 0.08 0.10
|a| 0.04 0.06 0.05 0.06 0.04 0.08 0.04 0.05pC 0.09 0.11 0.10 0.00 0.08 0.18 0.047 2pq 0.21 0.42 0.23 0.048 0.06 0.10 0.12 1pa 0.75 0.49 0.63 0.03 0.48 0.25 0.39 1
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 71 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarSigni�cant value anomalies with ABM-EW, betas
B/M E/P CF/P NO/P Dur A/ME Rev
βME 0.11 0.00 0.01 −0.25 −0.07 0.07 −0.36βI/A 1.82 1.15 1.33 1.08 −1.18 1.97 −1.13βROE −0.10 −0.01 0.04 0.27 −0.34 −0.08 0.44tβME 0.99 0.00 0.04 −5.48 −0.61 0.48 −5.74tβI/A 8.32 7.92 7.82 10.01 −7.43 8.40 −9.19tβROE −0.59 −0.11 0.26 2.66 −1.88 −0.40 4.13s 0.15 0.03 0.06 −0.25 −0.09 0.13 −0.36h 1.29 1.12 1.26 0.44 −1.11 1.49 −0.45r 0.39 0.38 0.53 0.57 −0.71 0.52 0.21c 0.51 −0.01 0.04 0.54 −0.05 0.42 −0.65ts 3.66 0.72 1.21 −4.66 −1.55 2.78 −4.44th 23.11 16.35 18.64 6.55 −12.35 20.90 −4.02tr 3.93 4.75 6.28 6.51 −6.44 5.35 1.64tc 4.32 −0.06 0.40 4.98 −0.30 3.45 −3.74
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 72 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarSigni�cant investment anomalies with ABM-EW, alphas
ACI I/A NOA 4PI/A IG NSI CEI NXF
m −0.32 −0.72 −0.56 −0.64 −0.41 −0.82 −0.65 −0.67αC −0.19 −0.47 −0.63 −0.50 −0.22 −0.62 −0.54 −0.54αq −0.13 −0.30 −0.71 −0.34 −0.03 −0.26 −0.28 −0.23a −0.26 −0.34 −0.79 −0.45 −0.12 −0.34 −0.43 −0.33tm −3.74 −4.84 −3.40 −5.07 −4.30 −5.49 −3.90 −3.80tC −2.10 −3.84 −3.94 −4.28 −2.43 −4.73 −4.69 −4.34tq −1.32 −2.52 −3.26 −2.72 −0.34 −2.02 −2.12 −1.70ta −2.85 −3.21 −4.89 −4.27 −1.45 −3.04 −3.99 −2.55|αC | 0.17 0.19 0.21 0.21 0.15 0.20 0.20 0.22
|αq| 0.10 0.14 0.17 0.17 0.12 0.14 0.12 0.13
|a| 0.07 0.08 0.15 0.12 0.04 0.10 0.07 0.09pC 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00pq 0.15 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.41 0.00 0.00 0.00pa 0.09 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.89 0.00 0.00 0.00
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 73 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarSigni�cant investment anomalies with ABM-EW, alphas
IvG IvC OA POA TA PTA |ave|m −0.50 −0.50 −0.30 −0.43 −0.46 −0.51 0.53αC −0.34 −0.43 −0.33 −0.24 −0.38 −0.43 0.42
αq −0.29 −0.42 −0.53 −0.14 −0.45 −0.35 0.32
a −0.38 −0.50 −0.51 −0.23 −0.38 −0.33 0.39tm −4.32 −4.30 −2.50 −3.88 −3.99 −5.06tC −3.24 −3.80 −2.35 −2.63 −2.89 −4.82 14
tq −2.35 −3.37 −4.05 −1.51 −4.13 −3.88 10
ta −3.55 −5.12 −4.79 −2.74 −3.68 −3.62 13
|αC | 0.18 0.17 0.18 0.18 0.17 0.19 0.19
|αq| 0.10 0.11 0.16 0.16 0.13 0.14 0.14
|a| 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.13 0.07 0.09 0.09pC 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 14pq 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 12pa 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.04 0.00 12
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 74 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarSigni�cant investment anomalies with ABM-EW, betas
ACI I/A NOA 4PI/A IG NSI CEI NXF
βME −0.14 0.02 −0.03 0.01 0.01 0.07 0.29 0.23
βI/A −0.15 −1.25 0.00 −0.82 −0.77 −0.90 −0.94 −0.89βROE −0.15 0.15 0.18 0.02 −0.08 −0.43 −0.31 −0.38tβME −3.78 0.46 −0.19 0.11 0.29 1.19 6.47 5.09
tβI/A −2.09 −15.01 −0.01 −8.50 −12.00 −8.86 −10.62 −8.09tβROE −2.19 2.09 1.47 0.25 −1.30 −5.10 −3.64 −4.26s −0.10 0.08 0.11 0.08 0.05 0.04 0.33 0.27h 0.11 −0.20 0.61 0.06 −0.09 −0.21 −0.41 −0.14r −0.03 0.02 0.51 0.06 −0.13 −0.80 −0.45 −0.59c −0.24 −0.97 −0.65 −0.82 −0.63 −0.65 −0.40 −0.68ts −2.67 1.75 1.68 1.83 1.29 0.92 5.62 5.17th 1.76 −2.97 5.91 0.81 −1.96 −3.98 −5.75 −2.02tr −0.41 0.19 4.32 0.89 −2.01 −9.90 −5.67 −5.96tc −2.60 −8.90 −5.41 −8.64 −6.75 −7.02 −4.28 −6.19
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 75 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarSigni�cant investment anomalies with ABM-EW, betas
IvG IvC OA POA TA PTA
βME 0.08 0.10 0.22 0.18 0.05 0.09
βI/A −0.68 −0.55 −0.19 −0.77 −0.65 −0.58βROE 0.05 0.17 0.43 −0.01 0.42 0.04tβME 1.94 2.38 4.07 5.60 1.16 2.14
tβI/A −7.46 −6.07 −1.69 −12.18 −7.89 −9.28tβROE 0.79 2.85 4.84 −0.22 4.90 0.72s 0.13 0.17 0.25 0.23 0.05 0.06h −0.03 0.00 0.01 −0.21 −0.12 −0.18r 0.10 0.32 0.62 −0.02 0.38 −0.14c −0.58 −0.47 −0.13 −0.47 −0.48 −0.35ts 3.03 5.27 6.22 6.71 0.93 1.50th −0.49 0.07 0.15 −4.71 −1.32 −2.99tr 1.49 5.21 8.35 −0.33 4.71 −2.46tc −6.31 −5.68 −1.08 −6.42 −3.26 −3.53
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 76 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarSigni�cant pro�tability anomalies with ABM-EW, alphas
ROE ROA GP/A RS NEI CTO F TES O |ave|m 1.00 0.90 0.65 0.57 0.47 0.36 0.58 0.32 −0.28 0.57αC 0.91 0.82 0.53 0.67 0.44 0.23 0.49 0.27 −0.42 0.53
αq 0.10 0.12 −0.06 0.26 0.05 −0.15 0.25 0.03 −0.23 0.14
a 0.56 0.51 0.00 0.59 0.36 −0.18 0.48 0.32 −0.31 0.37tm 4.60 4.03 3.67 4.49 4.28 1.98 2.57 2.52 −1.98tC 4.42 3.87 3.15 5.61 4.25 1.29 2.72 2.25 −3.23 8
tq 0.71 0.89 −0.41 2.39 0.70 −0.79 1.28 0.28 −1.51 1
ta 4.14 3.52 0.01 5.07 4.02 −1.32 2.67 2.65 −2.21 7
|αC | 0.19 0.18 0.16 0.16 0.21 0.15 0.18 0.14 0.17 0.17
|αq| 0.12 0.14 0.14 0.09 0.11 0.12 0.12 0.10 0.13 0.12
|a| 0.12 0.14 0.08 0.12 0.19 0.09 0.13 0.09 0.08 0.12pC 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.09 0.00 8pq 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.08 0.54 0.02 7pa 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.01 0.19 0.08 7
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 77 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarSigni�cant pro�tabilities anomalies with ABM-EW, betas
ROE ROA GP/A RS NEI CTO F TES O
βME −0.12 −0.12 0.25 −0.11 −0.03 0.44 −0.23 0.10 0.16βI/A 0.24 0.12 0.23 −0.17 −0.08 −0.18 0.38 −0.32 0.29
βROE 1.50 1.40 0.84 0.76 0.80 0.64 0.68 0.51 −0.54tβME −1.11 −1.28 2.98 −2.61 −1.13 4.19 −3.03 2.01 2.89tβI/A 2.24 1.08 1.75 −2.69 −2.20 −1.47 2.46 −2.93 2.37
tβROE 20.45 18.27 8.00 13.52 26.12 6.84 5.60 6.97 −5.74s −0.15 −0.17 0.35 −0.20 −0.12 0.59 −0.28 0.02 0.17h −0.03 −0.07 −0.19 −0.35 −0.25 −0.08 0.27 −0.27 0.27
r 1.59 1.48 1.44 0.56 0.65 1.16 0.68 0.22 −0.60c 0.20 0.14 0.45 0.11 0.10 0.01 0.00 −0.13 −0.07ts −1.98 −2.25 7.73 −4.24 −2.72 13.27 −2.93 0.34 3.45th −0.22 −0.69 −2.80 −4.90 −4.00 −1.31 2.22 −3.67 3.17
tr 16.11 14.48 18.02 6.98 10.97 16.02 5.20 2.32 −4.95tc 1.32 0.90 3.84 1.09 1.01 0.06 0.01 −1.01 −0.60
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 78 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarSigni�cant intangibles-trading frictions anomalies with ABM-EW, alphas
OC/A Ad/M RD/M H/N OL Svol MDR S-Rev Disp Dvol |ave|m 0.35 0.64 0.94 −0.50 0.41 −0.45 −0.66 −0.57 −0.44 −0.37 0.53αC 0.38 0.20 0.65 −0.28 0.38 −0.47 −0.73 −0.67 −0.63 −0.15 0.45
αq 0.39 −0.25 0.78 −0.05 −0.04 −0.15 −0.16 −0.62 −0.04 0.03 0.25
a 0.45 −0.32 0.69 −0.11 −0.01 −0.18 −0.28 −0.43 −0.33 0.08 0.29tm 3.72 2.15 3.69 −3.62 2.18 −2.18 −2.14 −2.61 −1.98 −2.64tC 3.67 0.84 2.70 −2.68 2.14 −2.23 −3.62 −2.94 −3.47 −1.32 8
tq 3.12 −0.84 2.66 −0.44 −0.22 −0.76 −0.76 −1.74 −0.25 0.20 2
ta 4.38 −1.45 2.70 −1.19 −0.08 −0.92 −2.02 −1.45 −2.32 0.73 4
|αC | 0.15 0.23 0.27 0.16 0.15 0.17 0.19 0.20 0.16 0.08 0.18
|αq| 0.17 0.23 0.36 0.12 0.13 0.16 0.12 0.19 0.10 0.12 0.17
|a| 0.10 0.14 0.22 0.08 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.15 0.07 0.06 0.11pC 0.00 0.10 0.01 0.00 0.05 0.06 0.00 0.02 0.01 0.02 7pq 0.00 0.047 0.00 0.00 0.11 0.04 0.03 0.00 0.29 0.00 7pa 0.00 0.23 0.04 0.01 0.18 0.31 0.04 0.03 0.07 0.15 5
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 79 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarSigni�cant intangibles-trading frictions anomalies with ABM-EW, betas
OC/A Ad/M RD/M H/N OL Svol MDR S-Rev Disp Dvol
βME 0.00 0.14 0.63 0.09 0.26 0.18 0.67 0.05 0.28 −0.64βI/A 0.04 1.67 0.28 −1.14 0.29 −0.16 −1.19 0.16 −0.14 −0.74βROE 0.03 0.27 −0.37 −0.02 0.47 −0.52 −0.78 0.19 −1.04 0.02
tβME 0.07 1.02 4.61 2.39 3.82 1.19 4.65 0.20 4.61 −6.85tβI/A 0.34 8.52 1.05 −15.65 2.29 −0.87 −6.23 0.58 −2.08 −8.45tβROE 0.35 1.38 −2.02 −0.32 4.51 −4.00 −4.44 0.98 −14.58 0.20
s −0.02 0.25 0.50 0.13 0.30 0.15 0.65 −0.06 0.28 −0.69h −0.07 0.98 −0.28 −0.25 −0.07 0.09 −0.64 −0.31 0.02 −0.43r −0.02 1.01 −0.39 −0.20 0.86 −0.60 −1.24 −0.13 −1.06 −0.33c 0.07 0.55 0.76 −0.82 0.41 −0.23 −0.53 0.50 −0.02 −0.32ts −0.56 3.16 5.07 2.89 5.45 1.23 10.53 −0.37 5.32 −12.70th −1.06 10.27 −2.08 −4.82 −0.88 0.62 −4.86 −1.31 0.25 −6.24tr −0.26 9.44 −1.67 −2.63 8.81 −3.78 −12.43 −0.42 −16.58 −5.39tc 0.59 3.95 2.73 −7.73 2.98 −1.23 −3.54 1.86 −0.17 −3.68
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 80 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarSummary, ABM-EW
The q-factor model outperforms the Fama-French �ve-factor model:
The q-factor model outperforms the �ve-factor model in themomentum and pro�tability categories by a big margin
The two models are largely comparable in the value-versus-growth,investment, intangibles, and trading frictions categories
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 81 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarRobustness to alternative factor constructions
The q-factor model outperforms the �ve-factor model with alternativefactor constructions:
2× 2× 2, 2× 3, and 2× 2 for the q-factors
2× 2× 2× 2 and 2× 2 for the new Fama-French factors
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 82 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarProperties of alternative q-factors, 1/1967�12/2013
2× 2× 2 m αC βMKT βSMB βHML βUMD
rME 0.33 −0.03 0.05 1.03 0.19 0.02(2.27) (−0.79) (4.82) (74.66) (6.66) (1.24)
rI/A 0.26 0.18 −0.07 −0.02 0.28 0.03(3.90) (3.63) (−5.38) (−0.56) (10.14) (1.31)
rROE 0.40 0.36 −0.01 −0.20 −0.08 0.18(5.00) (4.99) (−0.63) (−3.53) (−1.52) (5.50)
a b s h r c
rME −0.01 0.05 1.03 0.02 0.01 0.08(−0.39) (5.32) (76.52) (0.88) (0.24) (2.19)
rI/A 0.07 −0.02 −0.04 0.01 0.00 0.59(2.20) (−2.47) (−2.94) (0.61) (0.21) (22.79)
rROE 0.29 −0.01 −0.05 −0.17 0.59 0.10(4.80) (−0.51) (−1.67) (−3.23) (12.90) (1.26)
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 83 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarProperties of alternative q-factors, 1/1967�12/2013
2× 3 m αC βMKT βSMB βHML βUMD
rME 0.30 −0.05 0.04 1.03 0.19 0.01(2.07) (−1.49) (4.54) (87.41) (6.85) (0.53)
rI/A 0.29 0.13 −0.08 0.01 0.48 0.02(3.07) (1.88) (−4.57) (0.45) (15.75) (0.76)
rROE 0.57 0.52 −0.03 −0.31 −0.10 0.27(4.44) (4.40) (−0.89) (−3.51) (−1.06) (5.04)
a b s h r c
rME −0.02 0.04 1.02 0.05 −0.03 0.02(−0.79) (5.29) (100.22) (3.31) (−1.22) (0.78)
rI/A −0.04 0.00 −0.03 0.07 −0.04 0.90(−1.34) (0.52) (−1.89) (3.07) (−2.03) (31.81)
rROE 0.37 −0.02 −0.06 −0.24 0.97 0.16(4.02) (−0.63) (−1.22) (−3.09) (12.90) (1.41)
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 84 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarProperties of alternative q-factors, 1/1967�12/2013
2× 2 m αC βMKT βSMB βHML βUMD
rME 0.29 −0.07 0.06 1.05 0.19 0.00(1.96) (−1.91) (6.34) (88.91) (6.57) (0.15)
rI/A 0.19 0.10 −0.08 0.01 0.32 0.01(2.68) (1.99) (−5.47) (0.32) (13.36) (0.30)
rROE 0.40 0.35 0.00 −0.21 −0.07 0.19(4.36) (4.04) (0.17) (−3.07) (−1.06) (4.61)
a b s h r c
rME −0.04 0.05 1.05 0.04 −0.03 0.03(−1.61) (8.20) (103.46) (2.83) (−1.36) (1.20)
rI/A 0.00 −0.03 −0.03 0.05 −0.08 0.59(0.05) (−3.09) (−2.95) (3.00) (−4.48) (24.00)
rROE 0.23 0.01 −0.02 −0.16 0.72 0.09(3.59) (0.55) (−0.64) (−2.97) (12.82) (1.04)
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 85 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarProperties of the new Fama-French factors, alternative constructions, 1/1967�12/2013
2× 2× 2× 2 m αC βMKT βSMB βHML βUMD
SMB 0.29 0.03 −0.02 0.94 0.08 0.00(2.23) (1.26) (−3.18) (66.68) (5.26) (0.52)
HML 0.29 0.06 −0.02 −0.06 0.69 0.00(2.74) (1.66) (−1.82) (−3.73) (47.39) (0.10)
RMW 0.27 0.25 −0.02 −0.16 0.20 0.00(3.78) (3.97) (−1.24) (−3.35) (6.09) (0.00)
CMA 0.16 0.14 −0.08 −0.03 0.15 0.02(2.84) (2.88) (−5.51) (−1.55) (6.23) (0.97)
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 86 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarProperties of the new Fama-French factors, alternative constructions, 1/1967�12/2013
2× 2× 2× 2 αq βMKT βME βI/A βROE
SMB 0.07 −0.03 0.89 −0.11 −0.05(1.88) (−1.89) (48.08) (−3.89) (−2.38)
HML 0.09 −0.06 −0.05 0.65 −0.07(0.89) (−1.90) (−0.81) (8.97) (−1.05)
RMW 0.13 −0.03 −0.10 0.16 0.21(1.68) (−1.19) (−1.82) (2.84) (4.33)
CMA −0.00 −0.04 −0.02 0.44 −0.02(−0.01) (−3.79) (−1.09) (19.61) (−0.68)
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 87 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarProperties of the new Fama-French factors, alternative constructions, 1/1967�12/2013
2× 2 m αC βMKT βSMB βHML βUMD
SMB 0.28 −0.03 0.02 1.01 0.14 0.00(2.03) (−1.45) (3.20) (92.98) (8.18) (0.05)
HML 0.27 0.03 −0.02 −0.03 0.71 0.00(2.58) (1.17) (−3.37) (−3.99) (68.49) (0.22)
RMW 0.19 0.23 −0.01 −0.19 −0.02 0.01(2.56) (3.27) (−0.37) (−2.94) (−0.32) (0.44)
CMA 0.24 0.14 −0.08 0.02 0.32 0.02(3.33) (2.90) (−5.38) (0.69) (12.31) (1.08)
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 88 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarProperties of the new Fama-French factors, alternative constructions, 1/1967�12/2013
2× 2 αq βMKT βME βI/A βROE
SMB 0.05 0.01 0.95 −0.08 −0.10(1.40) (0.71) (59.89) (−4.16) (−5.71)
HML 0.04 −0.06 −0.03 0.76 −0.12(0.51) (−2.09) (−0.58) (11.78) (−2.12)
RMW 0.03 0.00 −0.09 −0.05 0.36(0.50) (0.07) (−1.78) (−0.89) (7.87)
CMA 0.03 −0.06 0.03 0.63 −0.09(0.93) (−5.34) (1.28) (30.82) (−3.76)
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 89 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarPerformance across 36 signi�cant anomalies with NYSE-VW
The average magnitude of high-minus-low alphas:
q: .20% in 2× 3× 3, .26% in 2× 2× 2, .26% in 2× 3, .29% in2× 2
FF5: .36% in 2× 3, .40% in 2× 2× 2× 2, .37% in 2× 2
The number of signi�cant high-minus-low alphas:
q: 7 in 2× 3× 3, 10 in 2× 2× 2, 11 in 2× 3, 11 in 2× 2
FF5: 19 in 2× 3, 19 in 2× 2× 2× 2, 20 in 2× 2
The number of rejections by the GRS test:
q: 25 in 2× 3× 3, 20 in 2× 2× 2, 25 in 2× 3, 23 in 2× 2
FF5: 25 in 2× 3, 23 in 2× 2× 2× 2, 25 in 2× 2
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 90 / 115
Factors War Empirical Comparison
Factors WarPerformance across 50 signi�cant anomalies with ABM-EW
The average magnitude of high-minus-low alphas:
q: .24% in 2× 3× 3, .29% in 2× 2× 2, .29% in 2× 3, .31% in2× 2
FF5: .41% in 2× 3, .46% in 2× 2× 2× 2, .43% in 2× 2
The number of signi�cant high-minus-low alphas:
q: 16 in 2× 3× 3, 20 in 2× 2× 2, 21 in 2× 3, 22 in 2× 2
FF5: 34 in 2× 3, 36 in 2× 2× 2× 2, 35 in 2× 2
The number of rejections by the GRS test:
q: 37 in 2× 3× 3, 37 in 2× 2× 2, 36 in 2× 3, 36 in 2× 2
FF5: 35 in 2× 3, 34 in 2× 2× 2× 2, 35 in 2× 2
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 91 / 115
Factors War Lagging the De�ator: The Irrelevance of Gross Pro�tability
Factors WarWhich ROE factor?
Fama and French (2006): The expected pro�tability e�ect insigni�cantlypositive in second-stage cross-sectional regressions
Fama and French (2008): Pro�tability sorts �produce the weakest averagehedge portfolio returns�
Novy-Marx (2013): The gross pro�tability e�ect, arguing that gross pro�tsare a cleaner measure of true economic pro�ts than earnings, as expensedinvestments reduce earnings, but do not increase book equity; adopted byFama and French (2015a)
Hou, Xue, and Zhang (2015a, b): Monthly sorts on ROE, quarterlyearnings-to-lagged book equity
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 92 / 115
Factors War Lagging the De�ator: The Irrelevance of Gross Pro�tability
Factors WarLagging the de�ator: The irrelevance of gross pro�tability, 1/1967�12/2014
Low 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 High H−L m.a.e.
Gross pro�ts-to-current assets, annual sorts
m 0.35 0.40 0.46 0.49 0.62 0.57 0.51 0.49 0.61 0.73 0.38tm 1.66 2.04 2.21 2.32 3.05 2.76 2.28 2.23 2.91 3.41 2.62αC −0.15 −0.19 −0.12 −0.08 0.06 0.03 0.14 0.18 0.24 0.35 0.49 0.15tC −1.51 −2.53 −1.42 −0.86 0.74 0.38 1.52 1.98 3.05 3.63 3.39 [0.00]α5 0.07 −0.16 −0.10 −0.14 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.07 0.16 0.27 0.19 0.10t5 0.85 −1.98 −1.13 −1.57 0.17 0.16 0.36 0.77 2.25 2.58 1.46 [0.04]αq 0.02 −0.16 −0.11 −0.10 0.04 0.08 0.16 0.19 0.15 0.20 0.18 0.12tq 0.21 −1.76 −1.21 −1.13 0.50 1.02 1.65 1.65 1.82 1.90 1.24 [0.11]
Gross pro�ts-to-lagged assets, annual sorts
m 0.46 0.45 0.49 0.54 0.63 0.61 0.50 0.49 0.60 0.61 0.16tm 2.30 2.36 2.37 2.55 3.28 2.91 2.42 2.21 2.89 2.69 1.04
Scaling by lagged assets makes more sense, as current assets areaccumulated by the end of current period
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 93 / 115
Factors War Lagging the De�ator: The Irrelevance of Gross Pro�tability
Factors WarThe importance of monthly sorts, 1/1976�12/2014
Low 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 High H−L m.a.e.
Gross pro�ts-to-lagged assets, monthly sorts
m 0.39 0.59 0.46 0.51 0.62 0.71 0.65 0.58 0.72 0.91 0.51tm 1.56 2.94 1.98 2.22 2.81 3.21 2.75 2.58 3.22 3.87 3.40αC −0.19 −0.03 −0.24 −0.20 −0.06 0.11 0.12 0.12 0.23 0.37 0.56 0.17tC −1.66 −0.38 −2.57 −2.14 −0.71 1.35 1.24 1.53 2.63 3.76 3.81 [0.00]α5 0.03 0.05 −0.19 −0.24 −0.17 0.00 0.01 −0.03 0.14 0.33 0.30 0.12t5 0.26 0.70 −2.00 −2.51 −1.94 0.00 0.08 −0.31 1.55 2.96 2.14 [0.02]αq 0.05 0.04 −0.16 −0.19 −0.08 0.07 0.16 0.00 0.14 0.25 0.20 0.11tq 0.40 0.47 −1.54 −2.03 −0.84 0.78 1.27 −0.04 1.47 2.12 1.41 [0.12]
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 94 / 115
Factors War Lagging the De�ator: The Irrelevance of Gross Pro�tability
Factors WarThe importance of monthly sorts, 1/1976�12/2014
No need for gross pro�ts in monthly sorts
Low 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 High H−L m.a.e.
ROA (earnings-to-lagged assets), monthly sorts
m 0.20 0.44 0.57 0.68 0.57 0.75 0.72 0.63 0.70 0.78 0.58tm 0.56 1.58 2.25 3.30 2.87 3.61 3.58 3.05 3.25 3.41 2.53αC −0.42 −0.15 −0.03 0.07 −0.04 0.12 0.11 0.08 0.13 0.27 0.68 0.14tC −2.70 −1.38 −0.35 0.80 −0.57 1.48 1.59 0.94 1.82 3.61 3.61 [0.00]α5 −0.14 −0.16 −0.13 0.06 −0.06 0.03 0.02 −0.11 0.04 0.24 0.39 0.10t5 −1.30 −1.33 −1.38 0.75 −0.73 0.35 0.27 −1.56 0.60 3.07 2.85 [0.10]αq 0.16 0.10 0.10 0.17 −0.04 0.06 0.03 −0.07 −0.01 0.13 −0.02 0.09tq 1.39 1.01 0.98 1.74 −0.49 0.61 0.43 −0.85 −0.10 1.60 −0.21 [0.20]
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 95 / 115
Factors War Lagging the De�ator: The Irrelevance of Gross Pro�tability
Factors WarThe importance of monthly sorts, 1/1976�12/2014
Using gross pro�ts in monthly sorts does more harm than good
Low 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 High H−L m.a.e.
ROE (earnings-to-lagged book equity), monthly sorts
m 0.16 0.43 0.50 0.56 0.68 0.58 0.68 0.71 0.68 0.88 0.72tm 0.45 1.57 2.02 2.69 3.36 2.68 3.34 3.37 3.17 3.93 2.79αC −0.49 −0.15 −0.04 −0.03 0.08 −0.03 0.09 0.12 0.10 0.31 0.80 0.14tC −3.09 −1.40 −0.38 −0.30 0.99 −0.32 1.30 1.60 1.46 3.42 3.72 [0.00]α5 −0.24 −0.15 0.00 −0.02 0.05 −0.03 0.02 0.04 0.10 0.15 0.39 0.08t5 −2.02 −1.29 0.01 −0.17 0.55 −0.32 0.23 0.48 1.45 1.71 2.68 [0.33]αq 0.09 0.13 0.28 0.10 0.11 0.00 0.05 −0.05 0.03 0.03 −0.05 0.09tq 0.75 1.41 2.99 1.05 1.24 0.01 0.63 −0.59 0.37 0.39 −0.40 [0.06]
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 96 / 115
Factors War Independent Comparison
Factors WarIndependent comparison by impartial observers
Barillas and Shanken (2015): A Bayesian procedure for model comparison
Shanken (2015): Model probabilities overwhelmingly in favor of theq-factor model (97% versus 3%)
Cooper and Maio (2015): The q-factor model shows the best convergencewith the intertemporal CAPM
Stambaugh and Yu (2015): Con�rm Hou, Xue, and Zhang's (2015b) factorspanning tests and empirical comparison tests
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 97 / 115
Understanding the Low Risk Anomaly
Outline
1 The q-Factor Model
2 Factors WarThe Empire Strikes BackConceptual ComparisonEmpirical ComparisonLagging the De�ator: The Irrelevance of Gross Pro�tabilityIndependent Comparison
3 Understanding the Low Risk Anomaly
4 Notes
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 98 / 115
Understanding the Low Risk Anomaly
The Low Risk AnomalyCan the q-factor model explain the idiosyncratic volatility anomaly? 1/1967�12/2014
Low 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 High H−L m.a.e.
NYSE breakpoints and value-weights
m 0.50 0.68 0.65 0.66 0.61 0.60 0.69 0.65 0.63 −0.01 −0.51tm 3.17 3.91 3.49 3.20 2.73 2.54 2.66 2.26 1.90 −0.02 −1.62α 0.15 0.27 0.19 0.16 0.07 0.03 0.07 −0.02 −0.10 −0.81 −0.96 0.19tα 1.84 3.66 2.73 2.46 0.84 0.33 0.85 −0.17 −0.77 −4.41 −4.02 [0.00]α3 0.11 0.26 0.18 0.14 0.06 −0.01 0.10 −0.03 −0.09 −0.84 −0.94 0.18t3 1.52 3.83 2.74 2.05 0.75 −0.07 1.17 −0.37 −0.86 −6.24 −5.43 [0.00]αC 0.05 0.21 0.14 0.12 0.09 0.01 0.18 0.05 0.03 −0.60 −0.65 0.15tC 0.77 2.96 1.87 1.70 1.18 0.08 2.09 0.52 0.24 −3.89 −3.39 [0.00]α5 −0.07 0.12 0.03 0.02 −0.03 −0.06 0.13 0.02 0.11 −0.41 −0.34 0.10t5 −0.99 1.54 0.37 0.35 −0.39 −0.73 1.51 0.16 1.12 −3.45 −2.25 [0.00]αq −0.12 0.06 0.00 0.01 0.01 −0.02 0.23 0.13 0.23 −0.21 −0.08 0.10tq −1.43 0.75 −0.04 0.12 0.10 −0.22 2.12 1.29 1.98 −1.48 −0.46 [0.00]
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 99 / 115
Understanding the Low Risk Anomaly
The Low Risk AnomalyCan the q-factor model explain the idiosyncratic volatility anomaly? 1/1967�12/2014
Low 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 High H−L m.a.e.
All-but-micro breakpoints and equal-weights
m 0.59 0.73 0.81 0.87 0.86 0.83 0.83 0.75 0.57 −0.04 −0.63tm 3.70 3.85 3.88 3.95 3.55 3.21 2.94 2.36 1.61 −0.10 −1.95α 0.25 0.30 0.32 0.35 0.29 0.22 0.17 0.02 −0.22 −0.89 −1.14 0.30tα 2.96 3.79 4.01 4.21 3.49 2.37 1.67 0.18 −1.42 −4.24 −4.47 [0.00]α3 0.08 0.14 0.18 0.20 0.17 0.13 0.12 0.03 −0.20 −0.81 −0.90 0.21t3 1.20 2.20 2.79 3.54 3.03 2.31 2.10 0.41 −2.16 −5.85 −4.92 [0.00]αC 0.08 0.17 0.22 0.25 0.21 0.15 0.16 0.09 −0.09 −0.60 −0.68 0.20tC 1.12 2.50 3.37 4.05 3.33 2.54 2.70 1.21 −0.97 −3.90 −3.44 [0.00]α5 −0.06 −0.01 0.06 0.11 0.14 0.13 0.23 0.21 0.10 −0.34 −0.28 0.14t5 −0.89 −0.13 1.08 2.03 2.49 2.24 3.51 3.03 1.19 −2.95 −1.96 [0.00]αq −0.06 0.00 0.09 0.13 0.17 0.16 0.29 0.32 0.22 −0.14 −0.08 0.16tq −0.79 −0.03 1.21 1.95 2.43 2.58 3.82 3.68 2.15 −0.91 −0.38 [0.00]
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 100 / 115
Understanding the Low Risk Anomaly
The Low Risk AnomalyCan the q-factor model explain the idiosyncratic volatility anomaly? 1/1967�12/2014
Low 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 High H−L m.a.e.
All breakpoints and value-weights
m 0.56 0.56 0.59 0.60 0.67 0.53 0.49 0.16 −0.15 −0.72 −1.28tm 3.50 3.10 2.78 2.51 2.48 1.68 1.42 0.44 −0.35 −1.66 −3.48α 0.19 0.11 0.06 0.01 0.03 −0.18 −0.26 −0.64 −0.97 −1.50 −1.69 0.39tα 2.67 2.01 1.05 0.15 0.27 −1.34 −1.63 −3.64 −4.37 −5.56 −5.42 [0.00]α3 0.17 0.11 0.08 0.06 0.08 −0.12 −0.18 −0.58 −0.98 −1.57 −1.74 0.39t3 2.87 2.24 1.31 0.75 1.04 −1.15 −1.48 −4.34 −6.06 −7.18 −7.16 [0.00]αC 0.13 0.10 0.12 0.09 0.11 −0.02 −0.06 −0.40 −0.67 −1.26 −1.39 0.30tC 2.09 2.07 1.89 1.27 1.36 −0.21 −0.45 −3.18 −3.67 −5.09 −5.03 [0.00]α5 0.04 0.03 0.06 0.09 0.21 0.08 0.14 −0.19 −0.44 −0.96 −1.01 0.22t5 0.67 0.64 0.77 1.08 2.71 0.90 1.31 −1.66 −2.88 −4.50 −4.16 [0.00]αq 0.02 0.04 0.10 0.12 0.24 0.21 0.25 −0.03 −0.17 −0.66 −0.68 0.19tq 0.29 0.72 1.30 1.38 2.82 1.91 1.93 −0.24 −0.97 −2.67 −2.39 [0.00]
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 101 / 115
Understanding the Low Risk Anomaly
The Low Risk AnomalyCan the q-factor model explain the idiosyncratic volatility anomaly? 1/1967�12/2014
Low 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 High H−L m.a.e.
All breakpoints and equal-weights
m 0.65 0.79 0.93 0.97 0.98 0.93 0.93 0.71 0.64 0.38 −0.27tm 3.71 3.72 3.85 3.61 3.35 2.89 2.61 1.87 1.52 0.82 −0.75α 0.33 0.33 0.41 0.40 0.37 0.27 0.23 −0.01 −0.09 −0.35 −0.68 0.28tα 3.30 3.61 4.07 3.42 2.75 1.81 1.28 −0.03 −0.38 −1.12 −2.29 [0.00]α3 0.14 0.15 0.21 0.22 0.21 0.12 0.08 −0.17 −0.28 −0.57 −0.71 0.22t3 1.75 2.40 3.77 3.58 3.33 1.81 0.93 −1.60 −1.79 −2.49 −2.91 [0.00]αC 0.15 0.19 0.28 0.30 0.33 0.27 0.28 0.09 0.06 −0.19 −0.34 0.21tC 1.86 3.25 4.76 4.81 4.88 3.50 2.70 0.64 0.30 −0.67 −1.15 [0.00]α5 0.01 0.04 0.14 0.19 0.26 0.24 0.30 0.11 0.13 −0.07 −0.08 0.15t5 0.09 0.65 2.57 3.01 3.55 2.96 2.91 0.81 0.68 −0.28 −0.30 [0.00]αq 0.05 0.09 0.21 0.28 0.39 0.40 0.53 0.41 0.55 0.39 0.33 0.33tq 0.59 1.20 2.77 3.36 4.01 3.44 3.59 2.05 1.92 1.05 0.88 [0.00]
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 102 / 115
Understanding the Low Risk Anomaly
The Low Risk AnomalyCan the q-factor model explain the beta anomaly? 1/1967�12/2014
Low 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 High H−L m.a.e.
NYSE breakpoints and value-weights
m 0.52 0.61 0.64 0.71 0.54 0.57 0.55 0.49 0.51 0.30 −0.22tm 3.41 4.09 3.85 3.98 2.80 2.65 2.43 1.84 1.80 0.81 −0.65α 0.27 0.31 0.27 0.30 0.09 0.07 0.03 −0.12 −0.15 −0.52 −0.79 0.21β 0.49 0.59 0.72 0.81 0.89 0.98 1.03 1.19 1.29 1.62 1.13 [0.01]tα 2.35 3.11 3.26 3.15 1.08 0.76 0.28 −1.09 −1.20 −3.09 −3.25α3 0.08 0.15 0.17 0.21 −0.01 0.00 −0.04 −0.19 −0.20 −0.49 −0.57 0.15t3 0.72 1.81 2.05 2.49 −0.16 −0.01 −0.42 −1.78 −1.69 −3.13 −2.51 [0.01]αC 0.04 0.12 0.13 0.16 −0.04 −0.01 0.01 −0.14 −0.10 −0.27 −0.31 0.10tC 0.34 1.38 1.46 1.88 −0.45 −0.07 0.10 −1.30 −0.89 −1.62 −1.27 [0.22]α5 −0.04 0.06 0.03 −0.02 −0.22 −0.20 −0.24 −0.39 −0.31 −0.32 −0.27 0.18t5 −0.38 0.68 0.35 −0.27 −2.85 −2.60 −2.59 −3.76 −2.60 −1.94 −1.18 [0.00]
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 103 / 115
Understanding the Low Risk Anomaly
The Low Risk AnomalyCan the q-factor model explain the beta anomaly? 1/1967�12/2014
Low 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 High H−L m.a.e.
NYSE breakpoints and value-weights
αq −0.11 0.00 0.00 −0.07 −0.22 −0.19 −0.22 −0.40 −0.19 −0.10 0.01 0.15βMKT 0.58 0.67 0.79 0.92 0.98 1.06 1.10 1.24 1.28 1.43 0.85 [0.02]βME 0.08 0.01 0.00 −0.05 −0.05 −0.04 0.00 0.08 0.11 0.32 0.24βI/A 0.54 0.46 0.37 0.44 0.42 0.33 0.28 0.26 −0.02 −0.57 −1.11βROE 0.14 0.12 0.14 0.25 0.16 0.16 0.17 0.22 0.05 −0.33 −0.47tq −0.84 −0.05 −0.05 −0.71 −2.38 −2.06 −2.07 −3.38 −1.49 −0.55 0.05tMKT 17.91 24.70 31.59 35.31 43.28 34.45 40.15 37.91 32.40 28.41 11.70tME 1.41 0.32 0.09 −0.92 −1.00 −0.98 0.00 1.25 1.57 4.67 2.62tI/A 5.27 6.75 5.82 4.98 5.14 3.81 3.06 2.35 −0.20 −5.23 −6.69tROE 1.79 1.87 2.30 4.23 2.69 2.20 2.26 2.71 0.68 −2.83 −2.81
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 104 / 115
Understanding the Low Risk Anomaly
The Low Risk AnomalyCan the q-factor model explain the betting-against-beta factor? 1/1967�12/2014
Panel A: The Carhart model
αC βMKT βSMB βHML βUMD R2
rBAB 0.54 0.07 0.01 0.53 0.20 0.22(3.31) (1.33) (0.22) (5.96) (3.54)
Panel B: The Fama-French (2015a) �ve-factor model
α5 b s h r c R2
rBAB 0.47 0.09 0.13 0.29 0.48 0.37 0.24(3.05) (1.61) (2.20) (2.70) (5.36) (2.43)
Panel C: The Hou-Xue-Zhang (2015a, b) q-factor model
αq βMKT βME βI/A βROE R2
rBAB 0.31 0.07 0.14 0.69 0.38 0.20(1.78) (1.32) (2.26) (6.07) (4.02)
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 105 / 115
Notes
Outline
1 The q-Factor Model
2 Factors WarThe Empire Strikes BackConceptual ComparisonEmpirical ComparisonLagging the De�ator: The Irrelevance of Gross Pro�tabilityIndependent Comparison
3 Understanding the Low Risk Anomaly
4 Notes
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 106 / 115
Notes
NotesThe q-factor model is built on a rich empirical literature in �nance and accounting
�[As] the q-factor model uses the Fama-French three- and �ve-factormodels as a straw man, it is only natural to acknowledge our enormousintellectual debt to Fama and French (p. 30).�
�It is evident that the intellectual designs of the q-factor model, includingits econometric tests, factor construction, formation of testing portfolios,and above all, the taste of the economic question, are all deeply in�uencedby Fama and French (p. 31).�
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 107 / 115
Notes
NotesDi�erent forms of the investment premium
Titman, Wei, and Xie (2004)
Anderson and Garcia-Feijòo (2006)
Cooper, Gulen, and Schill (2008)
Lyandres, Sun, and Zhang (2008)
Butler, Cornaggia, Grullon, and Weston (2011)
Cooper and Priestley (2011)
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 108 / 115
Notes
NotesThe cross-sectional variation of the investment premium
Li and Zhang (2010)
Lam and Wei (2011)
Lipson, Mortal, and Schill (2011)
Titman, Wei, and Xie (2013)
Watanabe, Xu, Yao, and Yu (2013)
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 109 / 115
Notes
NotesApplications in the accrual anomaly
Sloan (1996); Richardson, Sloan, Soliman, and Tuna (2005)
Fair�eld, Whisenant, and Yohn (2003)
Wu, Zhang, and Zhang (2010)
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 110 / 115
Notes
NotesThe balance sheet operating accruals deciles
Low 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 High H−L m.a.e.
Panel A: Average returns, 1/1967�12/2014
m 0.61 0.55 0.56 0.63 0.62 0.60 0.62 0.42 0.44 0.32 −0.29tm 2.40 2.61 3.06 3.42 3.09 3.19 3.19 2.00 1.93 1.14 −2.13
Panel B: Two-factor regressions, 1/1967�12/2014
α 0.17 0.06 0.05 0.11 0.10 0.06 0.22 −0.03 0.05 0.07 −0.10 0.09βMKT 1.09 0.99 0.93 0.93 0.93 0.91 0.92 0.96 1.05 1.15 0.07 [0.01]βI/A −0.26 −0.04 0.09 0.10 0.10 0.16 −0.13 −0.09 −0.31 −0.79 −0.53tα 1.48 0.67 0.78 1.41 1.35 0.88 3.54 −0.35 0.62 0.78 −0.66tMKT 27.84 37.17 56.71 35.95 42.16 52.43 43.58 47.76 41.83 43.73 1.46tI/A −2.45 −0.29 1.77 1.79 1.71 1.93 −2.66 −1.28 −4.32 −12.70 −4.03
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 111 / 115
Notes
NotesThe balance sheet operating accruals deciles
Low 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 High H−L m.a.e.
Panel C: The q-factor model, 1/1967�12/2014
αq 0.33 0.16 0.13 0.09 0.11 −0.04 0.14 −0.12 −0.03 −0.09 −0.42 0.12βMKT 1.07 1.00 0.94 0.94 0.95 0.94 0.94 0.97 1.05 1.10 0.03 [0.00]βME −0.06 −0.12 −0.12 −0.03 −0.08 −0.03 −0.04 0.05 0.05 0.37 0.43βI/A −0.28 −0.05 0.08 0.10 0.10 0.17 −0.13 −0.07 −0.30 −0.75 −0.47βROE −0.22 −0.10 −0.07 0.04 0.02 0.17 0.13 0.13 0.09 0.10 0.31tq 2.65 1.39 1.81 1.01 1.36 −0.48 2.10 −1.57 −0.35 −1.00 −2.96tMKT 29.98 38.57 52.20 36.98 45.00 57.17 43.81 45.38 37.99 46.56 0.86tME −1.21 −2.39 −3.57 −0.94 −2.14 −0.86 −1.21 1.72 1.42 11.77 7.60tI/A −3.11 −0.45 1.62 1.76 1.78 2.41 −3.01 −1.25 −4.48 −15.72 −5.19tROE −2.55 −1.27 −2.09 0.80 0.46 3.28 2.87 3.10 1.78 2.03 4.08
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 112 / 115
Notes
NotesThe balance sheet operating accruals deciles
Low 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 High H−L m.a.e.
Panel D: The q-factor model, the cash-based ROE factor, 1/1972�12/2014
α̃q 0.14 0.12 0.12 0.10 0.15 −0.02 0.13 −0.07 0.02 −0.03 −0.17 0.09
β̃MKT 1.11 1.02 0.94 0.94 0.92 0.91 0.93 0.95 1.04 1.11 0.00 [0.07]
β̃ME 0.03 −0.09 −0.09 −0.03 −0.10 −0.06 −0.07 0.00 0.01 0.29 0.26
β̃I/A −0.16 −0.05 0.03 0.10 0.06 0.12 −0.10 −0.03 −0.26 −0.64 −0.48β̃ROE −0.09 −0.03 0.00 0.05 −0.03 0.21 0.11 0.02 −0.04 −0.14 −0.05t̃q 1.07 1.16 1.44 1.15 1.73 −0.22 1.87 −0.74 0.18 −0.37 −1.09t̃MKT 26.54 39.37 51.24 34.02 46.76 49.24 38.93 42.14 33.86 41.07 0.07t̃ME 0.69 −1.95 −3.22 −1.20 −2.57 −1.89 −2.09 −0.13 0.40 8.13 4.50t̃I/A −1.51 −0.44 0.66 1.97 1.14 2.12 −2.45 −0.59 −4.20 −11.79 −4.26t̃ROE −0.92 −0.24 0.02 0.75 −0.43 2.17 1.93 0.34 −0.46 −2.52 −0.48
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 113 / 115
Notes
NotesPost-earnings-announcement drift
Ball and Brown (1968)
Bernard and Thomas (1989, 1990)
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 114 / 115
Notes
NotesFundamental analysis
Graham and Dodd (1934)
Ou and Penman (1989)
Lev and Thiagarajan (1993)
Abarbanell and Bushee (1997, 1998)
Piotroski (2000)
Penman and Zhu (2015)
Prof. Lu Zhang (2015) Lecture 1: The q-Factor Model SUFE 115 / 115