The Capital Asset Pricing Model in the 21st Century
Analytical, Empirical, and Behavioral Perspectives

AUTHOR: Haim Levy, Hebrew University of Jerusalem



The Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and the mean-variance (M-V) rule, which are based on classic expected utility theory, have been heavily criticized theoretically and empirically. The advent of behavioral economics, prospect theory and other psychology-minded approaches in finance challenges the rational investor model from which CAPM and M-V derive. Haim Levy argues that the tension between the classic financial models and behavioral economics approaches is more apparent than real. This book aims to relax the tension between the two paradigms. Specifically, Professor Levy shows that although behavioral economics contradicts aspects of expected utility theory, CAPM and M-V are intact in both expected utility theory and cumulative prospect theory frameworks. There is furthermore no evidence to reject CAPM empirically when ex-ante parameters are employed. Professionals may thus comfortably teach and use CAPM and behavioral economics or cumulative prospect theory as coexisting paradigms.

• Provides a novel perspective on the tension between traditional and behavioral financial models
• Bridges behavioral economics and the classical models in finance to show that there is no contradiction between them
• Celebrated author Levy has written or co-authored more than twenty titles in finance including three textbooks

Table of Contents

1. Overview
2. Expected utility theory
3. Expected utility and investment decision rules
4. The mean-variance rule
5. The capital asset pricing model (CAPM)
6. Extensions of the CAPM
7. The CAPM cannot be rejected: empirical and experimental evidence
8. Theoretical and empirical criticisms of the M-V rule
9. Prospect theory and expected utility
10. Cumulative decision weights: no dominance violation
11. M-V rule, the CAPM, and the cumulative prospect theory: coexistence.