Free CFA Level II Formula Sheet (2026)

Every CFA Level II formula you need on the test, grouped by topic, rendered with full math notation. 114 formulas across 9 topics, calibrated to the 2026 syllabus. Free forever, no signup required.

114 Formulas
9 Topics
2026 Syllabus
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All CFA Level II Formulas

Quantitative Methods 14 items
R-squared (coefficient of determination)
RSS = regression sum of squares, SSE = error sum of squares
SST = total sum of squares. Fraction of variation explained.
Adjusted R-squared
n = observations, k = number of independent variables
Penalizes for adding irrelevant predictors
F-statistic (overall regression)
k = predictors, n = observations
Tests
Standard error of regression (SEE)
SSE = sum of squared errors, n = observations, k = independent variables
Measures typical prediction error of the model
AR(1) model one-period forecast
, x_t = value at time t, b_0 = intercept, b_1 = lag coefficient (|b_1|<1 for stationarity), ε_t = error
Multiple regression model equation
, Y = dependent variable, b0 = intercept, bj = partial slope on Xj, k = number of independent variables, e = error term
t-statistic for an individual regression coefficient
, bj = estimated slope coefficient, s_bj = standard error of the coefficient; df = n - k - 1, n = observations, k = independent variables
Partial F-test for a group of regression variables
, SSE_R = restricted SSE, SSE_U = unrestricted SSE, q = variables tested, n = observations, k_U = unrestricted predictors
Bias-variance decomposition of total prediction error
, bias = error from oversimplification, variance = error from sensitivity to training data, irreducible noise = inherent randomness
Classification precision and recall
, TP = true positives, FP = false positives, FN = false negatives
Breusch-Pagan test statistic
, n = number of observations, = R-squared from regressing squared residuals on the original X variables; compared to chi-squared with k df
Variance inflation factor
, = R-squared from regressing on all other independent variables; VIF > 10 = severe multicollinearity
Odds ratio from a logistic coefficient
, OR = odds ratio (multiplier on odds per unit increase in ), = logistic coefficient on ; OR>1 increases odds, OR<1 decreases
Logistic regression probability from log-odds
, p = probability of outcome, b = coefficients, X = predictors, log-odds =
Economics 7 items
Covered Interest Rate Parity (CIP)
F = forward rate (d/f), S = spot rate (d/f)
r_d = domestic rate, r_f = foreign rate
No-arbitrage; holds in practice
International Fisher effect
Nominal interest rate differentials reflect expected inflation differentials
Combines Fisher effect with PPP
Relative PPP
Expected % change in spot rate ≈ inflation differential
Holds better over long horizons
Unhedged foreign asset return (in domestic currency)
; approx . = foreign-currency appreciation vs. domestic.
Labor productivity growth
, g_LP = growth in output per worker, g_Y = GDP growth, g_L = labor force growth
Uncovered interest rate parity expected spot change
, E[%ΔS] = expected change in spot (price per base), r_price = price-currency rate, r_base = base-currency rate
Taylor rule policy rate
, i = policy rate, r_n = neutral real rate, π = inflation, π* = target inflation, y - y* = output gap
Financial Statement Analysis 13 items
FCFF from EBIT
t = tax rate, D&A = depreciation & amortization
= change in working capital
Net pension expense components (ASC 715)
. IFRS (IAS 19): net interest on net pension liability replaces expected return.
US GAAP net periodic pension cost
, SC = service cost, IC = interest cost on beginning PBO, ER = expected return on plan assets, A = corridor amortization of actuarial gains/losses
Total periodic pension cost
, = change in funded status (plan assets − PBO), C = employer contributions; equals SC + IC − actual return ± actuarial gains/losses
Bank efficiency ratio
, NII = net interest income; provisions deliberately excluded; lower is better
Full goodwill under the acquisition method
, GW = goodwill, C = consideration transferred, NCI_FV = non-controlling interest at fair value, FV_NA = fair value of identifiable net assets
Equity method investment carrying value (CAID)
, CV = carrying value, s = ownership share, NI = investee net income, Amort = amortization of excess purchase price, Div = dividends
Pre-CTA translated equity build-up (current rate method)
, = beginning equity, = net income at average rate, = dividends at transaction rate
Cumulative translation adjustment plug (current rate method)
, = translated net assets (assets − liabilities at current rate), = pre-CTA translated equity
Balance sheet accruals ratio
, NOA = net operating assets = (total assets − cash & investments) − (total liabilities − financial debt); ΔNOA = change in NOA over period
Cash flow accruals ratio
, NI = net income, CFO = cash flow from operations, CFI = cash flow from investing, NOA = net operating assets
LIFO-to-FIFO equity adjustment
, LR = LIFO reserve, t = tax rate; inventory rises by full LR and COGS falls by the change in LR
Five-component DuPont decomposition of ROE
, NI = net income, EBT = pretax income, EBIT = operating income, Rev = revenue, Assets = avg total assets, Equity = avg equity
Corporate Issuers 10 items
FCFE from FCFF
Int = interest expense, t = tax rate, = net new borrowing.
FCFE from net income
NI = net income, NCC = non-cash charges (D&A, deferred tax), = net new borrowing.
FCFE constant-growth valuation
. Requires ; g = sustainable FCFE growth. Gordon-growth analog using FCFE instead of dividends.
MM Propositions I & II (with taxes)
Prop I: — debt tax shield adds value.
Prop II: ; WACC declines with leverage. Theoretical optimum: 100% debt.
Pure-play unlevered (asset) beta via Hamada equation
, β = beta, t = comparable's tax rate, D/E = comparable's debt-to-equity ratio
Weighted average cost of capital (WACC)
, w = target weight, r = component cost, t = tax rate; subscripts d=debt, p=preferred, e=equity
Lintner target payout adjustment model expected dividend
, D_1 = expected dividend, D_0 = current dividend, a = adjustment factor, TPR = target payout ratio, EPS_1 = projected EPS
Post-repurchase earnings per share
, E = total earnings, N = original shares, C = cash spent on repurchase, P = repurchase price per share
LBO multiple of invested capital
, Exit Equity = Exit EV − remaining debt, Initial Equity = sponsor's equity contribution at entry
Acquirer's gain in an acquisition
, PV(Synergies) = present value of net after-tax synergies, Premium = offer value above target's pre-announcement market value
Equity Valuation 16 items
Residual income model
B_0 = book value, ROE = return on equity, r_e = cost of equity.
Sustainable growth rate
b = retention ratio = 1 − payout ratio
ROE = net income / equity
Growth rate achievable without changing capital structure or issuing equity
Two-stage DDM
g_S = high growth (stage 1), g_L = long-run growth (stage 2)
Build-up method for cost of equity (private company)
. Used when CAPM fails for illiquid/private firms.
Sum-of-the-parts enterprise value
, = standalone value of segment i, m = overhead capitalization multiple, OH = annual corporate overhead
Expected return as dividend yield plus capital gains yield
, = next dividend, = current price, = intrinsic value
H-model value
, = current dividend, = initial high growth, = long-run growth, H = half the high-growth period, r = required return
Residual income continuing value with persistence factor
, ω = persistence factor, RI_T = final-year residual income, r = cost of equity
Residual income (spread form)
, B = beginning book value, ROE = return on equity, r = cost of equity
Capitalized cash flow method value
, V = firm value, CF = normalized cash flow, r = required return, g = stable growth rate
FCFF from net income
, NI = net income, Dep = depreciation, Int = interest expense, t = tax rate, CapEx = capital expenditures, ΔWC = change in working capital
Single-stage FCFF enterprise value
, EV = enterprise value, FCFF₁ = next-period free cash flow to firm, WACC = weighted average cost of capital, g = stable growth rate
Gordon Growth Model value
, = intrinsic value, = next-period dividend, r = required return on equity, g = constant growth (g < r)
Discount for lack of control from a control premium
, DLOC = discount for lack of control, CP = control premium
Justified price-to-book ratio
, ROE = return on equity, g = growth rate, r = required return on equity
Justified leading price-to-earnings ratio
, b = retention ratio (1-b = payout), r = required return on equity, g = growth rate
Fixed Income 11 items
Option-Adjusted Spread (OAS)
Callable: OAS < Z-spread. Putable: OAS > Z-spread.
Effective duration
. Used for bonds with embedded options (callable, putable, MBS).
Portfolio effective duration (market-value weighted)
; = market-value weight. Assumes parallel yield-curve shift; use KRDs for non-parallel.
Credit spread decomposition (term structure)
. Expected loss = PD × LGD.
Hazard rate from credit spread (reduced-form model)
, λ = hazard rate (default intensity), spread = credit spread, R = recovery rate, (1 − R) = loss given default
Value of a callable bond
, V_option-free = value of identical option-free bond, V_call = value of the embedded call option held by the issuer
Value of a putable bond
, V_option-free = value of identical option-free bond, V_put = value of the embedded put option held by the bondholder
Rolldown return from riding the yield curve
, = yield change from maturity shortening, D = duration (assumes a stable curve over the holding period)
CDS mark-to-market gain to protection buyer
, s_cur = current spread, s_contract = contracted (entry) spread NOT fixed coupon, D = effective spread duration, N = notional
Backward induction node value in a binomial interest rate tree
, V = bond value, C = coupon, r = node rate, 0.5 = risk-neutral probabilities
Lognormal up and down rate relationship in a binomial tree
, r_up = higher node rate, r_down = lower node rate, σ = annual std dev of ln of short rate
Derivatives 13 items
Binomial option pricing (one period)
; , (risk-neutral probs). u, d = up/down factors.
Put-call parity
. Continuous: . Same strike/expiry; European options.
Option gamma
. Highest ATM near expiry; long options are positive gamma, short are negative.
Option vega
. Price change per 1-pp vol move. Long call or put = positive vega. Highest ATM with longer expiry.
Delta-gamma-vega option price approximation
, δ = delta, γ = gamma, ν = vega, dS = stock move, dσ = vol change
Black-Scholes-Merton call price
, C = call value, S = spot, K = strike, r = risk-free rate, T = time, N = standard normal CDF, = moneyness terms
Forward rate agreement settlement payment
, NA = notional, r_f = floating reference rate, r_FRA = contract rate, DCF = day-count fraction of reference period
Fixed swap rate from discount factors
, s = periodic fixed swap rate, Z(t) = discount factor for period t, n = number of settlement periods
Option theta (time decay)
, the change in an option value per unit of calendar time. Usually negative for long options (value erodes toward expiry); time decay is largest for at-the-money options near expiration.
Payer swaption payoff
, N = notional, R_mkt = market swap rate, R_K = strike rate, A = annuity factor (PV of $1 over swap tenor)
Caplet payoff
, N = notional, R_ref = reference rate, R_cap = cap strike rate, days/360 = day-count fraction
Risk-neutral probability in a binomial tree
, p = risk-neutral (up) probability, r = periodic risk-free rate, u = up factor, d = down factor
Binomial hedge ratio (option delta)
, Δ = shares per option, c_u/c_d = option payoff up/down, S_u/S_d = stock price up/down
Alternative Investments 14 items
TVPI (Total Value to Paid-In)
= DPI + RVPI (realized + unrealized multiples).
Direct capitalization (real estate)
; = stabilized first-year NOI (after opex, before debt service/tax). Implicit: cap rate = r − g.
Equity REIT NAV per share
Property value typically from cap-rate or DCF on stabilized NOI. Price/NAV reveals premium or discount.
Pre-money and post-money valuation
Price per share = pre-money / pre-money shares. PE / VC funding rounds.
Total return on a commodity futures position
, R_spot = spot price return, R_roll = roll yield, R_collateral = interest earned on posted collateral
Commodity forward price under cost-of-carry
, F = forward price, S = spot price, r = risk-free rate, c = storage cost rate, y = convenience yield, T = time in years
Hard-hurdle incentive fee
, p = incentive rate, R = gross return, h = hurdle rate, AUM = assets under management (only when R > h)
Unsmoothed variance correction for serially correlated returns
, σ²_reported = reported return variance, ρ = first-order autocorrelation of returns
Funds from operations for a REIT
, NI = GAAP net income, Dep_RE = real estate depreciation/amortization, G_sale = gains on sale of properties
Adjusted funds from operations for a REIT
, FFO = funds from operations, Capex_maint = recurring maintenance capital expenditures, SLR = straight-line rent adjustment
Net operating income for a property
, PGI = potential gross income at full occupancy, V = vacancy and collection losses, OpEx = operating expenses (excludes debt service, capex, income tax)
Cash-on-cash return on a leveraged property
, NOI = net operating income, DS = annual debt service, E = equity invested
Alpha of an equity long/short fund
, = fund gross return, = net market exposure, = market return
Net and gross exposure of a long/short fund
, , = long exposure (% of capital), = short exposure (% of capital); net = direction, gross = leverage
Portfolio Management 16 items
Treynor ratio
R_p = portfolio return, R_f = risk-free rate, = portfolio beta
Excess return per unit of systematic risk
Jensen's alpha
Actual return minus CAPM expected return
Positive = outperformance after adjusting for systematic risk
Fundamental Law of Active Management
IC = information coefficient (skill), BR = breadth (independent bets), IR = information ratio.
M-squared (Modigliani-Modigliani)
Levered/delevered portfolio return at market's risk level
Expressed in % — directly comparable across portfolios
Sharpe-information ratio relationship
, SR_P = portfolio Sharpe ratio, SR_B = benchmark Sharpe ratio, IR = information ratio (Pythagorean, never additive)
Optimal level of active risk
, σ_A* = optimal active risk, IR = information ratio, SR_B = benchmark Sharpe ratio, σ_B = benchmark standard deviation
Break-even inflation rate
, BEI = market expected average inflation, = nominal government bond yield, = inflation-linked bond yield of same maturity
Forward-looking equity risk premium (DDM)
, DY = current dividend yield, g = expected nominal earnings growth, = risk-free (government bond) rate
Authorized participant creation arbitrage profit
, P_mkt = ETF market price per share, NAV = net asset value per share, c = transaction cost per share, Q = creation unit size (shares)
Total cost of ETF ownership
, ER = annual expense ratio, H = holding period in years, S_rt = round-trip bid-ask spread, PD = premium/discount impact
Arbitrage Pricing Theory expected return
, R_f = risk-free rate, β = factor sensitivity, λ = factor risk premium, K = number of factors
Active specific risk from active risk decomposition
, σ_total = total active risk (tracking error), σ_factor = active factor risk, σ_specific = active specific risk
Square root of time VaR scaling
, VaR_T = VaR over T days, VaR_daily = 1-day VaR, T = number of trading days (variance scales linearly, so σ scales with √T)
Parametric (variance-covariance) Value at Risk
, V = portfolio value, z = z-score (95% = 1.65, 99% = 2.33), σ = periodic return standard deviation
Annual transaction cost drag from turnover
, T = annual portfolio turnover, c = cost per trade (including market impact, in bps or %)
Bonferroni correction adjusted significance threshold
, = per-test threshold, = desired overall significance level, m = number of tests run

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