Earnings Expectations during the COVID-19 Crisis

Abstract

We analyze the dynamics of earnings forecasts and discount rates implicit in valuations during the COVID-19 crisis. Forecasts over 2020 earnings have been progressively reduced by 16%. Longer-run forecasts have reacted much less. We estimate an implicit discount rate going from 8.5% in mid-February to 11% at the end of March and reverting to its initial level in mid-May. Over the period, the unlevered asset risk premium increases by 50bp, the leverage effect also increases by 50bp, while the risk free rate decreases by 100bp. Hence, analysts' forecast revisions explain all of the decrease in equity values between January 2020 and mid-May 2020. Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.