2. Estimating the Cost of Equity

2.5. Putting Everything Together

Now we are ready to estimate Holcim's cost of equity. The preceding steps have provided us with the following estimates:

 

Variable

Description

Estimate

\( R_F \)

the risk-free rate of return

2.01%

MRP

the market risk premium

6.40%

\( \beta_j \)

the stock's beta

1.05

 

Based on these estimates, Holcim's cost of equity according to the CAPM is 8.73%:

 

\( k_{E, Holcim} = R_F + MRP \times \beta_{Holcim} \) = 0.0201 + 0.0640×1.05 = 0.0873 = 8.73%.