Final answer:
The expected rate of return for Amazon using the CAPM formula is 23.1%. This value is also indicative of Amazon's cost of equity, reflecting the required return by investors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The expected rate of return for Amazon, given a beta of 2.2, a risk-free rate of 5.5 percent, and a market risk premium of 8 percent, can be calculated using the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). The CAPM formula is:
Expected Return = Risk-Free Rate + (Beta * Market Risk Premium)
Plugging in the values:
Expected Return = 5.5% + (2.2 * 8%)
Expected Return = 5.5% + 17.6%
Expected Return = 23.1%
This calculation is also one way to determine Amazon's cost of equity, which is the return required by investors to compensate for the risk of investing in the stock.