The determinants of required rates of return are as follows:::::::::::::::
1. Real risk-free Rate::::::::::::::::: The risk free rate is the rate of interest an investor should earn without taking any risks. Generally the interest paid by bonds issued by governments is known as the real risk free rate. This is because there is high chances that it would be paid in the future.
2. Business Risk:::::::::::::::::::::This is the uncertainty of income flows in the business. Thus the higher the uncertainty, the higher is the risk associated with the investment. For this reason the investor can demand some extra returns and the required rate of return of business will be higher. The less the business Risk, the less an investor can demand as a premium return. Thus it is one of the determinant of required rate of Return.
3. Financial Risk::::::::::::::::::::This is the risk posed by the nature of financial investments. If the investment is on highly risky projects, it can create problem for return. Thus the expected return can be higher. In addition, if the company has used some debt financing to invest, it can create uncertainty on good profits. Thus on taking this part into account, required rate of return can be determined.
4. Liquidity Risk::::::::::::::::::::::::This is the risk associated with liquefying the assets in the shorter term. If the investment is done on assets which can be exchanged in the terms of cash in less time, then the investment has low liquidity risk. But if the investment is done on assets which cannot be exchanged in terms of cash in less time, then it has high liquidity risk. Thus if the liquidity risk is low, lower can be the required rate of return. But if the liquidity rate is high, higher can be the required rate of return.
5. Exchange Rate Risk:::::::::::::::::::::::::This is the risk associated with the exchange rate of currency while dealing with international business. Higher exchange rate risk means there is higher chance that you may not get the expected amount while converting a currency to another. Thus an investor can increase his/her expected rate of return in this case.But if there is lower exchange rate risk, an investor can expect to get the desired amount and he/she can decide to maintain a lower required rate of return.
6. Country Risk::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Country risk is also called political risk. The more political risk, the more an investor can demand to return. And the less the political risk, the less the premium on expected return an investor can demand to gain.
Thus these factors are the required rate of return determinants. For more Finance Concepts, be in touch with this blog.