Average Market Return – Interview Question?

Hey everyone, I'm currently going through the WSO Technical Guide (super helpful by the way), and came across a question asking about the market risk premium. From a conceptual standpoint, I understand that the market risk premium is calculated as the average market return minus the yield on a 10-year treasury note, but the guide denotes an approximated 12.6% average market return. My big question is where does this 12.6% average market return come from and, as a follow up, is it subject to change over time? I'm using an older version of the guide that was passed down to me so I'm curious as to what might be a more accurate figure for current recruiting.

Thanks!

5 Comments
 

Yeah it's subject to change overtime, the one given is most probably just an example. The expected market return is lower now due to the global macro environment.

 
Best Response

I was always taught the ERP (equity risk premium) was the earnings yield on the market over a 10y bond. so for US, it'd be S&P500 earnings yield minus the 10y treasury, for Germany it'd be the DAX minus the bund, etc. I'm not doing the homework for you but I'll say that multpl.com and the wall street journal have reliable market data.

in your case, I'm guessing they chose some arbitrary time period for their investment return.

 

Fugit optio voluptatem perspiciatis. Sunt saepe necessitatibus accusamus odio. Eos rerum ut possimus et dolorem quia. Voluptatum dolor optio eos. Est atque quasi qui. Ut quasi in et eligendi aspernatur repellendus. Atque expedita ut ipsa ex perferendis velit distinctio eveniet.

Qui reprehenderit quis nam totam numquam voluptatem. Est quia laboriosam perferendis unde reprehenderit aliquam. Beatae corporis et non ut qui distinctio. Reprehenderit eum qui sint dolorem consectetur eum ut aperiam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (65) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”