Size and Book to Market Factors in Earnings and Returns
Posted: 10 May 2000
Abstract
We study whether the behavior of stock prices, in relation to size and book to market equity (BE/ME), reflects the behavior of earnings. Consistent with rational pricing, high BE/ME signals persistent poor earnings and low BE/ME signals strong earnings. Moreover, stock prices forecast the reversion of earnings growth observed after firms are ranked on size and BE/ME. Finally, there are market, size, and BE/ME factors in earnings like those in returns. The market and size factors in earnings help explain those in returns, but we find no link between BE/ME factors in earnings and returns.
JEL Classification: G12, G3
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Fama, Eugene F. and French, Kenneth R., Size and Book to Market Factors in Earnings and Returns. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5903
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