Size and Book‐to‐Market Factors in Earnings and Returns
- Abstract
- Full Text PDF
- Author(s): EUGENE F. FAMA, KENNETH R. FRENCH
- Published: Apr 30, 2012
- Pages: 131-155
- DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6261.1995.tb05169.x
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.