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Time-Varying Conditional Covariances in Tests of Asset Pricing Models

Journal of Financial Economics, 24 (1989): 289-317

Campbell R. Harvey

Duke University, Durham 27706, USA

This paper proposes tests of asset pricing models that allow for time variation in conditional covariances. The evidence indicates that the conditional covariances do change through time. Estimates of the expected excess return on the market divided by the variance of the market (reward-to-risk ratio) are presented for the Sharpe-Lintner CAPM, as well as a number of tests of the model specification. The patterns of the pricing errors through time suggest the model's inability to capture the dynamic behavior of assets returns.