What is the Required Rate of Return Formula?

The formula for calculating the required rate of return for stocks paying a dividend is derived using the Gordon growth modelUsing The Gordon Growth ModelGordon Growth Model is a Dividend Discount Model variant used for stock price calculation as per the Net Present Value (NPV) of its future dividends. read more. This dividend discount model calculates the required return for equity of a dividend-paying stock by using the current stock price, the dividend payment per share, and the expected dividend growth rate.

The formula using the dividend discount modelDividend Discount ModelThe Dividend Discount Model (DDM) is a method of calculating the stock price based on the likely dividends that will be paid and discounting them at the expected yearly rate. In other words, it is used to value stocks based on the future dividends’ net present value.read more is represented as,

The required return equation utilizes the risk-free rate of return and the market rate of return, typically the benchmark index’s annual return. On the other hand, calculating the required rate of return for stock not paying a dividend is derived using the Capital Asset Pricing ModelCapital Asset Pricing ModelThe Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) defines the expected return from a portfolio of various securities with varying degrees of risk. It also considers the volatility of a particular security in relation to the market.read more (CAPM). The CAPM method calculates the required return by using the beta of security, which is the indicator of the riskiness of that security.

The formula using the CAPM method  is represented as,

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Steps to Calculate Required Rate of Return using the Dividend Discount Model

Steps to Calculate Required Rate of Return using CAPM Model

The required rate of return for a stock not paying any dividend can be calculated by using the following steps:

  • Firstly, determine the dividend to be paid during the next period. Next, gather the current price of the equity from the stock. Now, try to figure out the expected growth rate of the dividend based on management disclosure, planning, and business forecast. Finally, the required rate return is calculated by dividing the expected dividend payment (step 1) by the current stock price (step 2) and then adding the result to the forecasted dividend growth rate (step 3) as shown below, Required rate of return formula = Expected dividend payment / Stock price + Forecasted dividend growth rate

Required rate of return formula = Expected dividend payment / Stock price + Forecasted dividend growth rate

Step 1: Firstly, determine the risk-free rate of return, which is the return of any government issues bonds such as 10-year G-Sec bonds.

Step 2: Next, determine the market rate of return, the annual return of an appropriate benchmark index such as the S&P 500 index. The market risk premium can be calculated by deducting the risk-free return from the market return.

Market risk premium = Market rate of return – Risk-free rate of return

Step 3: Next, compute the stock’s beta based on its stock price movement vis-à-vis the benchmark index.

Step 4: Finally, the required rate of return is calculated by adding the risk-free rate to the product of beta and market risk premiumMarket Risk PremiumThe market risk premium is the supplementary return on the portfolio because of the additional risk involved in the portfolio; essentially, the market risk premium is the premium return investors should have to make sure to invest in stock instead of risk-free securities.read more (step 2) as given below,

The required rate of return formula = Risk-free rate of return + β * (Market rate of return – Risk-free rate of return)

Examples of Required Rate of Return Formula (with Excel Template)

Let’s see some simple to advanced examples to understand the calculation of the Required Rate of Return better.

Example #1

Let us take an example of an investor considering two securities of equal risk to include one of them in his portfolio.

Determine which security should be selected based on the following information:

Below is data for calculation of the required rate of return for Security A and Security B.

The required return of security A can be calculated as,

Required return for security A = $10 / $160 * 100% + 5%

The required return for security A= 11.25%

The required return of security B can be calculated as,

Required return for security B = $8 / $100 * 100% + 4%

The required return for security B = 12.00%

Based on the given information, Security A should be preferred for the portfolio because its lower required return gave the risk level.

Example #2

Calculate the required rate of return of the stock based on the given information. Let us take an example of a stock with a beta of 1.75, i.e., it is riskier than the overall market. Further, the US treasury bond’s short-term return stood at 2.5%, while the benchmark index is characterized by a long-term average return of 8%.

  • Given, Risk-free rate = 2.5%Beta = 1.75Market rate of return = 8%

Below is data for the calculation of a required rate of return of the stock-based.

Therefore, the required return of the stock can be calculated as,

Required return =  2.5% + 1.75 * (8% – 2.5%)

= 12.125%

Therefore, the required return of the stock is 12.125%.

Relevance and Uses

It is important to understand the concept of the required return as investors use it to decide on the minimum amount of return required from an investment. Based on the required returns, an investor can decide whether to invest in an asset based on the given risk level.

The required return for a stock with a high beta relative to the market should have been higher because it is necessary to compensate investors for the added risk associated with the investment. Also, an investor can use the required returns for ranking the assets and eventually make the investment as per the ranking and include them in the portfolio. In short, the higher the expected return, the better is the asset.

This article has been a guide to the Required Rate of Return Formula. Here we discuss how to calculate the Required Rate of Return using practical examples and downloadable excel templates. You may learn more about Valuation from the following articles –

  • Calculate Market Risk PremiumCalculate Market Risk PremiumMarket risk premium refers to the extra return expected by an investor for holding a risky market portfolio instead of risk-free assets. Market risk premium = expected rate of return – risk free rate of returnread moreRate of Return FormulaRate Of Return FormulaRate of Return (ROR) refers to the expected return on investment (gain or loss) & it is expressed as a percentage. You can calculate this by, ROR = {(Current Investment Value – Original Investment Value)/Original Investment Value} * 100read moreExpected Return CalculationCash on Cash Return