Euler Equation Errors

Martin Lettau and Sydney Ludvigson

No 11606, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: The standard, representative agent, consumption-based asset pricing theory based on CRRA utility fails to explain the average returns of risky assets. When evaluated on cross- sections of stock returns, the model generates economically large unconditional Euler equation errors. Unlike the equity premium puzzle, these large Euler equation errors cannot be resolved with high values of risk aversion. To explain why the standard model fails, we need to develop alternative models that can rationalize its large pricing errors. We evaluate whether four newer theories at the vanguard of consumption-based asset pricing can explain the large Euler equation errors of the standard consumption-based model. In each case, we find that the alternative theory counterfactually implies that the standard model has negligible Euler equation errors. We show that the models miss on this dimension because they mischaracterize the joint behavior of consumption and asset returns in recessions, when aggregate consumption is falling. By contrast, a simple model in which aggregate consumption growth and stockholder consumption growth are highly correlated most of the time, but have low or negative correlation in severe recessions, produces violations of the standard model's Euler equations and departures from joint lognormality that are remarkably similar to those found in the data.

JEL-codes: G10 G12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2005-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dge and nep-fin
Note: AP
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

Published as Martin Lettau & Sydney Ludvigson, 2008. "Code and data files for "Euler Equation Errors"," Computer Codes 08-106, Review of Economic Dynamics.
Published as Lettau, Matt and Sydney Ludvigson. "Euler Equation Errors." Review of Economic Dynamics 12 (2009): 255-283.

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Related works:
Journal Article: Euler Equation Errors (2009)
Working Paper: Euler Equation Errors (2005)
Working Paper: Euler Equation Errors (2005)
Working Paper: Euler Equation Errors (2005)
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