Based on economic analysis, the term excess return refers to " the difference between the rate of return earned and the risk-free rate."
This is because Excess returns are often used in economics to describe the difference between the return earned by stock and the risk-free rate.
Excess returns are often measured through the most current short-term government treasury bill.
Hence, in this case, it is concluded that the correct answer is option A. "the difference between the rate of return earned and the risk-free rate."
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