Fama-French three-factor model analysis
![]() | This article is intended for investing enthusiasts who wish to analyze historical equity performance. The analysis is used in an advanced investing technique (tilting) which is strongly not recommended for new investors. Past performance does not predict future performance. |
This article shows how to estimate the Fama and French Three-Factor Model loading (weighting) factors[note 1] which are typically used to determine the expected return of a portfolio or fund manager performance. These factors are determined by use of a regression analysis.[note 2] Building a portfolio by determination of loading factors is known as multifactor investing.
Multifactor investing
This article describes the end-to-end process to create and maintain a portfolio. The objective is to match the desired factor loads while optimizing other factors like costs, (negative) alpha, diversification, taxes, etc.[1] The basic steps are:
- Determine equity / fixed income split - (Asset Allocation)
- Determine Reasonable Targets for Fama-French Factor Tilts
- Choose Specific Funds for Each Region
- Choose Global Asset Allocations - Each regional fund must be weighted according to its global allocation[2]
- Re-adjusting Asset Allocation
- Maintenance
![]() | Multifactor investing - a comprehensive tutorial contains numerous referenced examples throughout the article, many of which contain a detailed regression analysis. There is no need to repeat those examples here. The External links section contains an example summary, which include both the Bogleheads and Financial Wisdom Forums. |
Portfolio weighting
Factor weightings of a portfolio are the weighted averages of the factor weightings of all the funds in the portfolio.[1] For example, a portfolio consisting of 60% of Fund A, and 40% of Fund B with the following factors:
- FundA = 60%(1×(rmt - rft) + 0.6×SMB+ 0.4×HML)
- FundB = 40%(1×(rmt - rft) - 0.2×SMB+ 0.3×HML)
Results in portfolio factor weightings of:
- FundA+B = (60%(1)+40%(1))×(rmt - rft) + (60%(0.6)+40%(-0.2))×SMB + (60%(0.4)+40%(0.3))×HML
- FundA+B = 1×(rmt - rft) + 0.28×SMB + 0.36×HML
Regression analysis model
The regression analysis uses the Fama-French three-factor model as follows.
Define the equation:[3]
- Rit - Rft = αi + β(Rmt - Rft)+ βisSMBt + βihHMLt + εit
Configuration:[4]
- Dependent variable ("Y-axis"): (Rit - Rft)
- Independent variables ("X-axis"): (Rmt - Rft), SMBt, HMLt
Parameter | Description | Regression Input / Output |
---|---|---|
(Rit - Rft) | Excess return: (Asset Return - Risk Free Return), also known as "Risk Adjusted Return." | Inputs: asset return, 30-day T-bill return |
αi | Active return: The Y-axis intercept of Excess Return. An investment's return over its benchmark.[5][6] | Output |
βim | Market loading factor: A measure of the exposure an asset has to market risk (although this beta will have a different value from the beta in a CAPM model as a result of the added factors). | Output |
(Rmt - Rft) | Market: (Market Return - Risk Free Return) | Input: Rm-Rf data |
βis | Size loading factor: The level of exposure to size risk. | Output |
SMBt | Small Minus Big: The size premium, a factor computed as the average return for the smallest 30% of stocks minus the average return of the largest 30% of stocks in that month. | Input: SMB data |
βih | Value loading factor: The level of exposure to value risk. | Output |
HMLt | High Minus Low: The value premium, a factor computed as the average return for the 50% of stocks with the highest B/M ratio minus the average return of the 50% of stocks with the lowest B/M ratio each month. | Input: HML data |
εit | A random error, which can be regarded as firm-specific risk.[3][note 3] This is the part of the return which can't be explained by the factors.[7] | Not applicable.[note 4] |
Regression outputs:[4]
- Y-axis intercept: α
- Coefficients (loading factors, the slope of the line): βim (Market), βis (size), βih (value)
Data quality
There are two metrics, R2 and t-values. Use best judgment to determine if the metrics are within acceptable limits. If not, modify input parameters (or assumptions) and repeat the analysis.
Coefficient of determination
The Goodness of fit of a statistical model describes how well it fits a set of observations. In regression, the R2 Coefficient of determination is a statistical measure of how well the regression line approximates the real data points.[8] The lower the R2, the more unexplained movements there are in the returns data, which means greater uncertainty.
An R2 value of 1.0 is a perfect fit. For this analysis, R2 applies to the regression of the complete model.[note 5] When comparing several portfolios over the same number of samples, the ones with higher R2 are explained more completely by the linear model.
T-statistics
The t-statistic is a ratio of the departure of an estimated parameter from its notional value and its standard error.[9] For this analysis, the t-statistics apply to each factor.
The confidence levels depend on the number of data points. Refer to the Student's t-distribution Table of selected values on Wikipedia. (Or, do it yourself using TDIST() and TINV() spreadsheet functions.) For a large number of data points, the t-distribution approaches a normal distribution. A t-value of 1 (or -1 for a negative factor) means the standard error is equal to the magnitude of the value itself.
For example, an HmL of 0.3 with a t-value of 1 means the standard error of that measurement is also 0.3. For 68% of the time (normal distribution assumed), the true value is 0.3 +/-0.3, or between 0.0 and 0.6.[10]
If the HmL result was again 0.3, but the t-value was 3, the standard error is 0.1. For 68% of the time (normal distribution assumed), the true value is 0.3 +/-0.1, or between 0.2 and 0.4.[10]
Applications
Expected return
Using the Fama-French three factor model:
- Rit - Rft = αi + βim(Rmt - Rft + βisSMBt + βihHMLt
Move Rft to the right side of the equation.
- Rit = Rft + βim(Rmt - Rft) + βisSMBt + βihHMLt + αi
where Rit is the expected return. For example:[11]
- rft = 4.67, βim = 0.87, (Rmt - Rft) = 2.65, βis = 0.63, SMBt = -8.22, βih = 0.50, HMLt = -12.04, αi = 0.05
- -4.17% = 4.67 + (0.87)×2.65 + (0.63)×(-8.22) + (0.50)×(-12.04) + 0.05
Alpha
Alpha is used to evaluate fund manager performance.
- Rit - Rft = αi + βim(Rmt - Rft)+ βisSMBt + βihHMLt
Software
- Kenneth R. French - Data Library - the source of the Fama-French factors.
R
RStudio is the recommended tool for performing regression analysis.
- RStudio, a free and open source integrated development environment (IDE) for R (a free software environment for statistical computing and graphics).
- Screencast: Fama-French Regression Tutorial Using R, from The Calculating Investor by forum member camontgo.
- Fama-French Regression example in R, R script by forum member ClosetIndexer
- Factor Attribution « Systematic Investor
- Systematic Investor Toolbox, (includes the Three Factor Rolling Regression Viewer by forum member mas)
Spreadsheet
- Rolling Your Own: Three Factor Analysis William Bernstein EF (Winter 2001) - an excellent tutorial on how to do this in Excel.
Rolling regression viewer
- mas financial tools, experimental java utility by Bogleheads forum member mas.
Notes
- ^ A factor is a common characteristic among a group of assets. The Fama-French factors of size and book-to-market have cross-sectional characteristics. Hence, the title of the seminal paper "The Cross-Section of Expected Stock Returns" (1992). See: Factors (finance).
- ^ The concept of regression might sound strange because the term is normally associated with movement backward, whereas in the world of statistics, regression is often used to predict the future. Simply put, regression is a statistical technique that finds a mathematical expression that best describes a set of data. Ref: Perform a regression analysis, from Microsoft.
- ^ Residual error, uncorrelated with the market return. Also referred to as unsystematic risk, company-specific risk, company-unique risk, or idiosyncratic risk. Ref: Fabozzi, et al. "Chapter 14.5.1 Decomposition of Total Risk".
- ^ The residual is the difference between the actual value of the dependent variable for each sample and the estimate of the dependent variable given by the regression equation. Basically, it is the error in the regression estimate of the sample value. The regression is a "least squares" optimization, which means that the intercept and factor loadings are chosen to minimize the squared sum of all the residuals. (From forum member camontgo, via PM.)
- ^ General guidance on acceptable ranges of R2 cannot be recommended. See: What's a good value for R-squared?, from Duke University.
See also
Bogleheads wiki
- CAPM - Capital Asset Pricing Model
- Expected return
- Fama and French Three-Factor Model
- Factors (finance)
References
- ^ a b Multifactor Investing - A comprehensive tutorial, Financial Wisdom Forum, direct link to post.
- ^ Multifactor Investing - A comprehensive tutorial, direct link to post.
- ^ a b Frank J. Fabozzi; Edwin H. Neave; Guofu Zhou (eds). "14: Capital Asset Pricing Model". Financial Economics. John Wiley & Sons. © 2011. ISBN 0-470596-20-1
- ^ a b c Rolling Your Own: Three Factor Analysis William Bernstein EF (Winter 2001)
- ^ a b Womack, Kent L. and Zhang, Ying, Understanding Risk and Return, the CAPM, and the Fama-French Three-Factor Model. Tuck Case No. 03-111. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=481881
- ^ Fabozzi, Frank J., and Harry M. Markowitz (eds). "Chapter 10 - Tracking Error and Common Stock Portfolio Management". Equity Valuation and Portfolio Management. John Wiley & Sons. © 2011. ISBN 9780470929919
- ^ From forum member camontgo, via PM.
- ^ Goodness of fit, Coefficient of determination, from Wikipedia.
- ^ t-statistic, standard error, from Wikipedia.
- ^ a b How to get Fama-French EAFE Factors, with results, forum discussion, direct link to post.
- ^ How to get Fama-French EAFE Factors, with results, Bogleheads Forum, direct link to post.
External links
- Asset Management: Engineering Portfolios for Better Returns Eugene F. Fama Jr. (May 1998)
- Fama–French three-factor model, from Wikipedia
- Capital asset pricing model, from Wikipedia
- Rolling Your Own: Three Factor Analysis William Bernstein EF (Winter 2001)
- The Investment Entertainment Pricing Theory William Bernstein EF (Winter 2001)
Bogleheads forum discussions
- Collective thoughts, forum post by Robert T. The best reference collection of anything you need to know about Fama-French, as well as risk factors, risk exposure and more. Includes both equity and fixed income risk.
- How to get Fama-French EAFE Factors, with results, tutorial by forum member ClosetIndexer