Sources of Risk Measurement

The beta for most publicly-traded firms is to be found in the annual Security Risk Evaluation: Beta published by Merrill Lynch. Ask at the Reference Desk for the latest issue; previous editions (beginning with 1980) are at REF HG 4501 .S42. (See excerpt of this book).

Beta values for more than 1,500 companies are available in the Value Line Investment Survey. The latest issues are at the Reference Desk; the publication is on microfilm cartridges from 1969-1979, and on microfiche from 1980 onwards.

The Standard & Poor's Stock Reports (in Business Reference) and its companion, the Stock Market Encyclopedia, (REF HG 4921 .S68) only began including betas with the Fall 1986 issue. (See excerpt of this book).

The Ratio Comparison section on Multex Investor provides current beta data (among many other things) for most public companies. Start with a search for Quotes by stock ticker symbol, then select "Ratio Comparison" from the second picklist. Note that registration is required on this section of the site.

Return to Questions for Financial Analysis

Ka-Neng Au (au@andromeda.rutgers.edu)
http://newarkwww.rutgers.edu/guides/business/fin-ris.htm
Revised 12 September 2002