Dissecting Anomalies with a Five-Factor Model

49 Pages Posted: 1 Oct 2014 Last revised: 26 Jun 2015

See all articles by Eugene F. Fama

Eugene F. Fama

University of Chicago - Finance

Kenneth R. French

Dartmouth College - Tuck School of Business; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Date Written: June 2015

Abstract

A five-factor model that adds profitability (RMW) and investment (CMA) factors to the three-factor model of Fama and French (1993) suggests a shared story for several average-return anomalies. Specifically, positive exposures to RMW and CMA (returns that behave like those of the stocks of profitable firms that invest conservatively) capture the high average returns associated with low market β, share repurchases, and low stock return volatility. Conversely, negative RMW and CMA slopes (like those of relatively unprofitable firms that invest aggressively) help explain the low average stock returns associated with high β, large share issues, and highly volatile returns.

Suggested Citation

Fama, Eugene F. and French, Kenneth R., Dissecting Anomalies with a Five-Factor Model (June 2015). Fama-Miller Working Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2503174 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2503174

Eugene F. Fama (Contact Author)

University of Chicago - Finance ( email )

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Kenneth R. French

Dartmouth College - Tuck School of Business ( email )

Hanover, NH 03755
United States

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

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