The Value Premium: Fact or Fantasy?

The underperformance of value stocks relative to their growth counterpart in recent years has led many investors to question whether a value premium truly exists.

This paper reconsiders the evidence about the value premium. In the first section, we apply a three-step test to determine whether the difference in returns between value and growth can be referred to as a “premium.” The second section provides evidence about the origin of the underperformance of value stocks in recent years. Finally, our concluding remarks will discuss the investment consequences of our findings and will highlight a few value investing caveats.

 


Table of Contents

1. A test of the value premium

1.1 Theoretical foundation

1.2 The academic literature is generally positive about the value premium

1.2.1 U.S. market

1.2.2 International markets

1.3 Empirical data validation

1.3.1 Regional evidence

1.3.2 Country evidence

1.4 Is there a value premium?

2. Why did value stocks underperform in recent years? 

3. Investment conclusions 

References 

The Author