Risk-free rate puzzle: An explanation of the heterogeneity of consumer risk attitudes under China's income gap

The original C-CAPM encounters a risk-free rate puzzle, making it difficult for the capital and consumer markets to achieve equilibrium. This problem can be addressed by solving this risk-free rate puzzle. In this paper, we propose that a representative consumer in the C-CAPM does not reflect the reality of China's social development. Second, we introduce three kinds of typical consumers, low-, middle- and high-income consumers, to embody the heterogeneity of risk attitudes. From the perspective of the consumer Pareto optimum, we derive the new C-CAPM and risk-free rate equation. Third, we compare the new model with the original C-CAPM and risk-free rate equation and theoretically explain this equation. Using monthly data on social consumption in China from 2011 to 2019, we find that the income gap in China is the underlying reason for this risk-free rate puzzle.

Automated summary

This paper addresses the risk-free rate puzzle in the original C-CAPM model and proposes a new model and equation that take into account the income gap in China. The findings suggest that the heterogeneity of risk attitudes among different income groups is crucial in achieving equilibrium in the capital and consumer markets.