Final answer:
According to the CAPM, Amazon, with a beta of 2.2, has an expected return of 23.1%, which is higher than the actual rate of return of 12%, indicating that the stock is overpriced.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine if Amazon is underpriced or overpriced, we can use the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), which calculates expected return as follows:
Expected Return = Risk-Free Rate + (Beta × Market Risk Premium).
Using the provided numbers, the calculation would be:
Expected Return = 5.5% + (2.2 × 8%)
Expected Return = 5.5% + 17.6%
Expected Return = 23.1%
Since the expected return of 23.1% is higher than the given actual rate of return of 12%, we can conclude that Amazon is overpriced because the return an investor would anticipate based on the risk (as measured by beta) is not being met.