Final answer:
The required return on the riskier stock exceeds the required return on the less risky stock by 6.15%.
Step-by-step explanation:
The required return on a riskier stock can be calculated using the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). CAPM is a financial model that determines an expected return based on the risk-free rate of return, the beta of the stock, and the market risk premium. The formula for CAPM is:
Required Return = Risk-Free Rate + Beta * (Market Return - Risk-Free Rate)
Using the given information, we can calculate the required return for each stock:
Stock R: Required Return = 5% + 1.6 * (8% - 5%) = 12.8%
Stock S: Required Return = 5% + 0.55 * (8% - 5%) = 6.65%
The required return on the riskier stock (Stock R) exceeds the required return on the less risky stock (Stock S) by:
12.8% - 6.65% = 6.15%