Final answer:
The nonzero slope coefficient test in CAPM is for determining the significance of the relationship between a security's expected return and market return. The stock's alpha (slope coefficient α) indicates positive abnormal returns when α is greater than zero and negative abnormal returns when α is less than zero. CAPM theory predicts alpha to be zero.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nonzero slope coefficient test in the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) is used to determine if there is a significant relationship between the expected return on a security and the return on the market. According to CAPM, the correct answers regarding the slope coefficient α, called the stock's alpha, are:
- Abnormal returns are positive when α > 0.
- Abnormal returns are negative when α < 0.
- The CAPM theory predicts α to be zero.
The alpha (α) represents the stock's expected return independent of the market's return, and a positive alpha suggests that the stock is expected to outperform the market (after adjusting for risk), while a negative alpha indicates an underperformance expectation. It is important to note that the slope coefficient β (beta) in CAPM actually measures the stock's volatility in relation to market fluctuations and not the alpha (α).