In the CAPM formula, what does Rf represent?

In the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), Rf represents the risk-free rate of return, which is a critical component of the formula. The risk-free rate is typically derived from the yields of government bonds, such as 10-year Treasury bonds in the United States, which are considered free from default risk. This rate serves as a benchmark for investors to gauge the minimal return they would expect from any investment that carries risk.

By using the risk-free rate, investors can assess the additional return necessary to compensate for the risk associated with a particular investment compared to a virtually riskless asset. This foundational concept enables the CAPM to calculate the expected return on an investment, considering both its systematic risk (beta) and the market risk premium. Understanding this relationship is essential for effective financial modeling and investment analysis.