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0.5 = Low Risk, 1.0 = Market Risk, 1.5 = High Risk
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About

Investors demand compensation for bearing uncertainty. The Risk Premium is the excess return required over a risk-free benchmark (typically government bonds) to justify holding a volatile asset. This calculator derives the Expected Return E(Ri) using the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), a cornerstone of modern financial theory.

Valuation accuracy depends on inputs like the Country Risk Premium (CRP). Emerging markets carry higher default spreads than developed economies, inflating the required discount rate for corporate valuation. This tool integrates sovereign default spreads and mature market premiums to calculate the Total Equity Risk Premium (ERP) for over 50 nations. It is essential for determining the Cost of Equity Ke in Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) models.

capm equity risk premium cost of capital investment analysis beta sovereign risk

Formulas

The Capital Asset Pricing Model defines the expected return as:

E(Ri) = Rf + β (Rm Rf)

Where:

  • Rf is the Risk-Free Rate (Yield on long-term Gov Bonds).
  • β is the Beta (Systematic risk relative to the market).
  • (Rm Rf) is the Market Risk Premium (ERP).

For international contexts, the Adjusted ERP is:

Total ERP = Base Premium + Country Default Spread × σEquityσBond

Reference Data

Country/RegionBond Rating (Moody's)Risk-Free Rate (Rf)Default SpreadTotal Equity Risk Premium
United StatesAaa4.10%0.00%4.60%
GermanyAaa2.35%0.00%4.60%
United KingdomAa33.80%0.55%5.32%
BrazilBa211.25%3.10%8.63%
IndiaBaa37.15%1.95%7.14%
JapanA10.85%0.65%5.45%
ChinaA12.60%0.65%5.45%
South AfricaBa210.50%3.10%8.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

A Beta of 1.0 implies the asset moves exactly with the market. Beta 1.0 (aggressive) implies higher volatility and potential returns (e.g., Tech). There is no "good" value; it depends on your risk tolerance.
Using a US-based ERP for a company operating in an unstable economy underestimates risk. The Country Risk Premium accounts for political instability, currency devaluation, and sovereign default risk, ensuring the discount rate reflects the true environment of the cash flows.
Always match the currency and duration of your cash flows. If valuing a 10-year project in USD, use the 10-Year US Treasury yield. Using a short-term rate (like T-Bills) is incorrect for long-term equity valuation because it ignores the term premium.
It fluctuates with market sentiment. During crises (like 2008 or 2020), risk aversion spikes, causing the ERP to rise significantly as investors demand more return for holding stocks. Historically, the US ERP averages between 4% and 6%.