Manipulation and performance persistence: an examination of Iranian equity mutual fund performance

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahsa Hosseini ◽  
Mohammad Khodaei Valahzaghard ◽  
Ali Saeedi
Keyword(s):  
Mutual Funds ◽  
Performance Measures ◽  
Mutual Fund ◽  
Performance Measure ◽  
Performance Persistence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lower Tertile ◽  
Time Horizons ◽  
Equity Mutual Funds ◽  
And Performance

Purpose This paper aims to study manipulation and performance persistence in equity mutual funds. To this end, Manipulation-Proof Performance Measure (MPPM) and Doubt Ratio, along with a number of current performance measures are used to evaluate the performance of equity mutual funds in Iran. Design/methodology/approach The authors investigate performance manipulation by 1) comparing the results of the MPPM with the current performance measures, 2) checking the Doubt Ratio to detect suspicious funds. Additionally, the authors investigate performance persistence by forming and evaluating portfolios of the equity mutual funds at several time horizons. Findings The authors conclude that there is no evidence of performance manipulation in the equity mutual funds. Additionally, when comparing the performance of the upper (top) tertile portfolios and the lower tertile portfolios, in all of the studied 1, 3, 6 and 12-month horizons, the authors find performance persistence in the equity mutual funds. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first study to investigate the performance manipulation in the Iranian equity mutual funds, and also is the first study in Iran that uses the MPPM and the Doubt Ratio in addition to a number of current performance measures to investigate the performance persistence in the equity mutual funds at several time horizons.

Adjusting for risk factors in mutual fund performance and performance persistence

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 352-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Drosos Koutsokostas ◽  
Spyros Papathanasiou ◽  
Dimitris Balios
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mutual Funds ◽  
Mutual Fund ◽  
Nonparametric Tests ◽  
Performance Measure ◽  
Performance Persistence ◽  
Momentum Effect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Equity Mutual Funds ◽  
Fama And French

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the performance of Greek equity mutual funds and the persistence in annual performance for the period 2008-2017 by using a variety of performance models. Design/methodology/approach Using all the available funds in operation and daily data, the authors apply single-index (Jensen, 1968) and multi-factor models (Fama and French, 1993; Carhart, 1997) to measure risk-adjusted returns. To assess performance persistence, a series of parametric (Bollen and Busse, 2005) and nonparametric tests (Malkiel, 1995; Brown and Goetzmann, 1995; Kahn and Rudd, 1995) is implemented. Findings Results show that the Greek equity mutual funds perform, on average, worse than the market index, irrespective of the performance measure applied, and the estimations obtained by the models are similar. Few managers that followed large-cap strategies, pursued stocks with high book-to-market value ratio and eliminated their exposure to the momentum effect were able to add value to their portfolios. Furthermore, a winner-picking strategy based on sustained superior performers is questioned. However, assigning fund returns to the corresponding risk factors results in the partial disappearance of persistence in performance. Originality/value The sample period includes the turbulent period, following the introduction of capital controls, which affected capital flows significantly. Moreover, the application of multiple performance measures enables us to investigate performance persistence in a wider spectrum.

Saving green while going green

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-35
Author(s):  
C. Edward Chang ◽  
Thomas M. Krueger ◽  
H. Doug Witte
Keyword(s):  
Mutual Funds ◽  
Performance Measures ◽  
Mutual Fund ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Turnover Rates ◽  
Operating Characteristics ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Responsible Investing ◽  
And Performance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the operating characteristics as well as risk and performance measures of all available self-proclaimed socially responsible funds (hereafter SRFs) in the USA over the ten-year (2007–2016) period. The first research question addressed is: Do SRFs perform as well as the average of all mutual funds in their respective categories? The second research question addressed is: Are SRF expense ratios correlated with fund performance? Design/methodology/approach This study analyzes all socially responsible equity mutual funds, as self-reported to Morningstar. This paper empirically compares operating characteristics and performance measures of SRFs relative to category averages in the US mutual fund industry. Operating characteristics include expense ratios and annual turnover rates. Performance measures include conventional return, risk and risk-adjusted return measures. Findings Although prior research suggests that socially responsible investing (SRI) indexes and SRI-friendly stocks have favorable returns, this study finds that these self-proclaimed SRFs underperform the average of all mutual funds in matched equity categories. However, this study demonstrates that a simple filter based on expense ratios can identify those SRFs that will enable investors to do quite well while doing good. Originality/value The contribution of this paper is twofold. First, the authors report that self-proclaimed SRFs, as a whole, have not generated competitive returns relative to other mutual funds in the same categories over the past ten years. This result contradicts the notion that socially responsible investors do not give up return performance when investing with their conscience. Second, the authors find that those SRFs with expense ratios in the lowest quartile of their respective category have significantly higher risk-adjusted returns and significantly lower turnover than category averages. Thus, by focusing on SRFs with low-expense ratios, socially responsible investors can do quite well while doing good.

Operational performance measures for startups

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nopadol Rompho
Keyword(s):  
Performance Measures ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Chief Executive ◽  
Performance Measure ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Importance ◽  
Large Corporations ◽  
And Performance

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the uses of performance measures in startup firms, including perceived importance and performance of those measures. Design/methodology/approachThe survey method is used in this study. Data are collected from founders/chief executive officers/managers of 110 startups in Thailand. The correlation analysis and analysis of variance techniques are used as the analysis tool in this study. FindingsThe results show that there is a positive relationship between the perceived importance and the performance of each metric. However, no significant differences are found in the importance and performance of each metric among the various stages of startups. Research limitations/implicationsBecause there are so few startups compared to large corporations, the sample size of this study is relatively small, which is a limitation for some statistical tests. Practical implicationsStartup should measure and monitor the correct metrics in a particular stage, instead of trying to perform well in all areas, which will lead them to lose focus, and possibly even fail. Results obtained from this study will aid startups in properly monitoring and managing their performance. Originality/valueUnlike large corporations, the performance measures used by startups vary, and depend on a startup’s stage and type. Because of the fact that there are much fewer startups than large corporations, there are a limited number of studies in this area. This research is among the first studies that try to investigate the uses of performance measure for this new type of organizations.

scholarly journals Cash management and performance of index mutual funds

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 549-565
Author(s):  
Diego Víctor de Mingo-López ◽  
Juan Carlos Matallín-Sáez ◽  
Amparo Soler-Domínguez
Keyword(s):  
Stock Market ◽  
Mutual Funds ◽  
Mutual Fund ◽  
Fund Performance ◽  
Cash Management ◽  
Stock Market Index ◽  
Index Funds ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Market Index ◽  
And Performance

PurposeThis study aims to assess the relationship between cash management and fund performance in index fund portfolios.Design/methodology/approachUsing a sample of 104 index mutual funds that track the Standard and Poor 500 stock market index from January 1999 to December 2016, the authors employ quintile portfolios and different regression models to assess the differences in risk-adjusted monthly returns experienced by index funds managing different cash levels in their portfolios. To ensure the robustness of the results, different sub-periods and market states are considered in the analyses as well as other exogenous factors and fund characteristics affecting the level of portfolio cash holdings and index fund performance.FindingsResults show that index funds holding higher levels of cash and cash equivalents performed significantly worse than their low-cash counterparts. This evidence remains even after considering different sub-periods and bullish and bearish market conditions and controlling for fund expenses and other variables that could drive this cash-performance relationship.Originality/valueThis study expands the extant literature analyzing cash management in the mutual fund industry. More specifically, the analyses focus on index fund portfolios that replicate a specific benchmark, given that their performance differences should not be related to the market evolution but to the factors derived from the fund management and other exogenous issues. These findings are of interest to managers and investors willing to improve their risk-adjusted returns while investing as diversified as a stock market index.

Herding in the mutual fund industry: evidence from Chile

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime F. Lavin ◽  
Nicolás S. Magner
Keyword(s):  
Mutual Funds ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Mutual Fund ◽  
International Markets ◽  
Herd Behavior ◽  
Information Efficiency ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Equity Mutual Funds ◽  
Panel Regressions ◽  
Fixed And Random Effects

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify elements of intentional herd behavior (HB), differentiating it from spurious, or unintentional HB. Design/methodology/approach Using a panel of 50 stocks belonging to 18 Chilean equity mutual funds between December 2002 and October 2009, with manually collected data regarding physical positions of monthly purchases and sales, the authors calculate the level of HB and, by applying panel regressions with fixed and random effects, analyze the factors that determine this behavior, classifying them as agency, information, efficiency and behavioral problems. Findings The research establishes that among Chilean equity mutual funds, there is a herding of 2.8 percent, implying that for 100 funds trading a certain stock, 53 go in the same direction and 47 in another. This effect increases during widespread market dips and when stocks become fashionable, attracting market attention. This behavior is not merely spurious, associated with variables that predict returns, but also has an intentional component, related to agency problems and information, and a behavioral component, related to investors’ biases and beliefs. Originality/value The paper is original because, despite existing evidence of herding in international markets, it has been little quantified or studied in emerging markets. In addition, the literature does not distinguish between spurious and intentional HB, nor does it test different hypotheses jointly to explain the phenomenon.

Sustainability-themed mutual funds: an empirical examination of risk and performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Ielasi ◽  
Monica Rossolini ◽  
Sara Limberti
Keyword(s):  
Mutual Funds ◽  
Mutual Fund ◽  
Investment Strategies ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Responsible Investment ◽  
Fund Managers ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Sustainable And Responsible Investment ◽  
Ethical Funds

PurposeThis paper aims to analyze the portfolio characteristics and the performance measures of sustainability-themed mutual funds, compared to ethical mutual funds that implement different sustainable and responsible investment strategies.Design/methodology/approachThe study refers to a European sample of 106 ethical funds and 51 sustainability-themed funds. The monthly performance of each fund is downloaded from Bloomberg for the period from January 1996 to December 2015. By applying a Fama and French (1993) three-factor model, the authors overcome the limits of a capital asset pricing model (CAPM) based-single index model, to compare the performance of the two categories of funds.FindingsSustainability-themed funds do not differ significantly from ethical funds in terms of portfolio attributes, except for market capitalization, age and net asset value. Regarding performance measures, the results shows that sustainability-themed funds have a lower underperformance than ethical funds (as measured by Jensen’s alpha), whereas the samples do not differ in terms of market risk (as measured by Beta coefficient). The idiosyncratic risk of sustainability-themed funds is positively influenced by the specific portfolio strategies. The sustainability-themed funds show a higher concentration in the industrial sector and a lower exposure to financial sector than ethical funds; in terms of geographical strategy, they are more global and international oriented; they mainly focus on small caps and value stocks.Research limitations/implicationsThe different sustainable and responsible investment strategies can be applied simultaneously and in a growing number of possible combinations. Mutual fund managers can consider thematic approach as an efficient opportunity for reconciling financial performance and economic sustainability. It is demonstrated that sustainability-themed funds adopt a portfolio strategy significantly different from ethical funds and from the environmental, social and governance benchmarks. Mutual fund managers implement a thematic specialization without any negative impact on the funds returns compared to ethical funds; actually, with a proper diversified portfolio, they are able to reduce idiosyncratic risk.Originality/valueThe analysis is extremely innovative, especially for the thematic sample. During the past 15 years, literature about sustainable and responsible investment has been focused especially on the differences in terms of risk and performance between socially responsible and conventional funds. This paper, starting from the methodology applied in these studies, wants to compare two different types of socially responsible strategies, with a specific focus on sustainability-themed mutual funds, given their exponential growth in the past few years.

Testing the skill of mutual fund managers: evidence from India

2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 806-824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prateek Sharma ◽  
Samit Paul
Keyword(s):  
Mutual Funds ◽  
Cross Section ◽  
Mutual Fund ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Performance Measure ◽  
Mutual Fund Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fund Managers ◽  
Investor Expectations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to utilize a constrained random portfolio-based framework for measuring the skill of a cross-section of Indian mutual fund managers. Specifically, the authors test whether the observed performance implies superior investment skill on the part of mutual fund managers. Additionally, the authors investigate the suitability of mutual fund investments under diverse investor expectations. Design/methodology/approach – The authors use a new skill measurement methodology based on a cross-section of constrained random portfolios (Burns, 2007). Findings – The authors find no evidence of superior investment skill in the sample of Indian equity mutual funds. Using a series of statistical tests, the authors conclude that the mutual funds fail to outperform the random portfolios. Furthermore, mutual funds show no persistence in their performance over time. These results are robust to choice of performance measure and the investment horizon. However, mutual funds provide lower downside risks and may be suitable for investors with high degree of risk aversion. Originality/value – The authors extend Burns’ (2007) methodology in several aspects, especially by using a much wider range of performance and downside risk measures to address diverse investor expectations. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is first study to apply the constrained random portfolios-based skill tests in an emerging market.

Mutual funds in Greece: case study of domestic equity mutual funds during a financial crisis

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (7) ◽  
pp. 812-827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Drosos Koutsokostas ◽  
Spyros Papathanasiou
Keyword(s):  
Mutual Funds ◽  
Market Timing ◽  
Abnormal Returns ◽  
Performance Persistence ◽  
Stock Selection ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
General Index ◽  
Equity Mutual Funds ◽  
Term Performance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the performance of Greek equity mutual funds for the period 2012-2016, analyzing further the selectivity and market timing ability, and short-term performance persistence for the period 2015-2016. Design/methodology/approach Utilizing a survivorship-bias-controlled sample of 25 funds and daily data, the authors use single-index (Jensen, 1968) and multi-factor (Carhart, 1997) models to evaluate risk-adjusted returns using the General Index of Athens Stock Exchange as a benchmark. The Treynor-Mazuy (1966) and Henriksson-Merton (1981) models are used to assess the stock selection and market timing abilities of fund managers. In order to investigate short-term performance persistence, the authors implement a variety of parametric (Bollen and Busse, 2005) and nonparametric tests (Malkiel, 1995; Brown and Goetzmann, 1995; Kahn and Rudd, 1995). Findings Results show that the funds underperformed the General Index, mainly due to the managers’ market timing inability. Furthermore, weak evidence for short-term performance persistence has been documented. Research limitations/implications Checking for performance persistence, it was impossible to rank funds and form deciles according to their estimated abnormal returns, as in Bollen and Busse (2005), due to the small number of mutual funds operating in Greece. Originality/value Empirical studies regarding the performance of Greek equity mutual funds are still limited. Therefore, this paper intends to fill this gap by providing further evidence of performance evaluation.

scholarly journals Mutual Fund Styles and Clientele-Specific Performance Evaluation

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 89
Author(s):  
Stéphane Chrétien ◽  
Manel Kammoun
Keyword(s):  
Mutual Funds ◽  
Performance Measures ◽  
Mutual Fund ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Economic Conditions ◽  
Specific Measure ◽  
Equity Mutual Funds ◽  
Specific Performance ◽  
Behavioral Features ◽  
Style Preferences

This paper develops clientele-specific performance measures based on the style preferences of mutual fund investors. Proposing an approach that considers investor disagreement and exploits style classification data, we investigate eight measures to represent investors with favorable preferences for size and value equity styles using a large sample of actively-managed U.S. equity mutual funds from 1998 to 2012. We find that the implied style preferences differ in their rational and behavioral features: value and small-cap fund investors (growth and large-cap fund investors) are more (less) averse to difficult economic conditions, and tend to be pessimists and contrarians (optimists and trend followers). The performance of funds assigned to clientele-specific styles becomes neutral or positive when evaluated with measures that consider their most likely style clienteles. The sign of the value added by the industry is ambiguous and depends on the choice of measures. Hence, performance is more favorable when funds are evaluated with their appropriate style-clientele-specific measure, and can otherwise depend on the measure.

scholarly journals Performance, Expenses and Funds Flows: Evidence from the Greek Mutual Fund Market

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 292-307
Author(s):  
Gerasimos G Rompotis
Keyword(s):  
Mutual Funds ◽  
Capital Markets ◽  
Mutual Fund ◽  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Flow Reduction ◽  
Expense Ratio ◽  
Developed Markets ◽  
Equity Mutual Funds ◽  
And Performance

This paper examines the factors that affect performance, expense ratios and flows of Greek equity mutual funds during 2002-2005 and provides possible explanations for the rare phenomenon of a stagnated mutual fund market in the midst of growing capital markets in Greece and elsewhere. Results demonstrate strong economies of scale for expenses, a negative relationship between performance and expense ratio, funds flow reduction (increase) with increases in expenses (fund age and fund family), and a significant unexplained portion of funds flows. Also discovered is the inadequate competition due to large load fees and expense ratios of two to three times greater than those in other developed markets and a tradeoff between expense ratio and performance of 1.45 instead of 1 which has been observed in the literature.

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