Title: Risk measures and the cost of equity in the new economy biotechnology industry

Authors: Perry Sadorsky, Irene Henriques

Addresses: York University, Canada. ' York University, Canada

Abstract: The cost of equity is important in valuing new investment opportunities and in evaluating the ongoing performance of existing business projects. This is especially true in the new economy biotechnology industry. The purpose of this paper is to calculate the cost of equity for the Canadian biotechnology industry using several different risk measures. The risk measures include systematic risk, total risk, downside risk, and value at risk. The results are useful for managers, budget planners, investors, policy makers, and others who are interested in the financing and risk management of new economy firms.

Keywords: risk measures; equity costs; new economy; biotechnology industry; new investment opportunities; business performance; Canada; financing; risk management.

DOI: 10.1504/GBER.2003.006197

Global Business and Economics Review, 2003 Vol.5 No.1, pp.37 - 55

Published online: 07 Feb 2005 *

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