Using the www.yahoofinance.com site or other site with stock information, choose six firms: two each from three different industries. Gather the following information for each stock: 1) beta for each of these firms; and 2) the total return for the previous year for each firm. Also find the return on the S&P Index for the same time period.

Given the information you have obtained, discuss the differences you observe. How do the betas and returns compare? What are the similarities and differences you observe within industries? What are the similarities and differences you observe between industries? How would you explain your results in term of the following concepts:

1. Total Risk
2. Systematic Risk
3. Idiosyncratic Risk