TABLE 12-7
An investment specialist claims that if one holds a portfolio that moves in the opposite direction to the market index like the S&P 500, then it is possible to reduce the variability of the portfolio's return. In other words, one can create a portfolio with positive returns but less exposure to risk. A sample of 26 years of S&P 500 Index and a portfolio consisting of stocks of private prisons, which are believed to be negatively related to the S&P 500 Index, is collected. A regression analysis was performed by regressing the returns of the prison stocks portfolio (Y) on the returns of S&P 500 Index (X) to prove that the prison stocks portfolio is negatively related to the S&P 500 Index at a 5% level of significance. The results are given in the following Microsoft® Excel output.
Coefficients Standard Error T Stat P-value
Intercept 4.8660 0.3574 13.6136 8.7932E-13
S&P -0.5025 0.0716 -7.0186 2.94942E-07
Note: 2.94942E-07 = 2.94942 * 10^-7
Referring to Table 12-7, which of the following will be a correct conclusion?
A. You cannot reject the null hypothesis and, therefore, conclude that there is sufficient evidence to show that the prison stocks portfolio and S&P 500 Index are negatively related.
B. You can reject the null hypothesis and conclude that there is insufficient evidence to show that the prison stocks portfolio and S&P 500 Index are negatively related.
C. You can reject the null hypothesis and, therefore, conclude that there is sufficient evidence to show that the prison stocks portfolio and S&P 500 Index are negatively related.
D. You cannot reject the null hypothesis and, therefore, conclude that there is insufficient evidence to show that the prison stocks portfolio and S&P 500 Index are negatively related.