The mean-semivariance CAPM strongly outperforms the traditional mean-variance CAPM in terms of its ability to explain the cross-section of US stock returns. If regular beta is replaced by downside beta, the traditional risk-return relationship is restored. The downside betas of low-beta stocks...

We analyze if the value-weighted stock market portfolio is second-order stochastic dominance (SSD) efficient relative to benchmark portfolios formed on size, value, and momentum. In the process, we also develop several methodological improvements to the existing tests for SSD efficiency....

Downside risk, when properly defined and estimated, helps to explain the cross-section of US stock returns. Sorting stocks by a proper estimate of downside market beta leads to a substantially larger cross-sectional spread in average returns than sorting on regular market beta. This result...

We develop an empirical test for Second-order Stochastic Dominance (SSD) efficiency of a given investment portfolio relative to all possible portfolios formed from a set of assets. Contrary to the Linear Programming test of Post, Thierry, 2003, Empirical tests for stochastic dominance...

This paper develops a novel statistic for firm efficiency called efficiency depth that allows for statistical inference in case of errors-in-variables. We derive statistical tests that require minimal statistical assumptions; neither the sample distribution nor the noise level is required. An...

We consider the issues of noise-to-signal estimation, finite sample performance and hypothesis testing for the nonparametric efficiency estimation technique proposed in Cherchye, L., T. Kuosmanen and G. T. Post (2001) 'Nonparametric efficiency estimation in stochastic environments', forthcoming...

We develop a nonparametric test of productive efficiency that accounts for the possibility of errors-in-variables. The test allows for statistical inference based on the extreme value distribution of the L?? norm. In contrast to the test proposed by Varian, H (1985): 'Nonparametric Analysis of...

We develop a Stochastic Dominance methodology to analyze if new assets expand the investment possibilities for rational nonsatiable and risk-averse investors. This methodology avoids the simplifying assumptions underlying the traditional mean-variance approach to spanning. The methodology is...

We derive empirical tests for the mean-variance efficiency of a given portfolio. The tests can be computed using straightforward linear programming, and they give substantial flexibility in modeling the investment possibilities. Using this test, we can reject the hypothesis that the S&P 500...

We analyze if the value-weighted stock market portfolio is second-order stochastic dominance (SSD) efficient relative to benchmark portfolios formed on market capitalization, book-to-market equity ratio and industry classification. During the period from the mid-1970s to the late 1980s, the...