Do Ethical Funds Underperform Conventional Funds? - Empirical Evidence from India

Think India ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 10-19
Author(s):  
Vanita Tripathi ◽  
Varun Bhandari
Keyword(s):  
Mutual Funds ◽  
Mutual Fund ◽  
Information Ratio ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Investment Funds ◽  
Ethical Investing ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Ethical Investments ◽  
Equity Index ◽  
Ethical Funds

One of the significant developments in the investing community is the rise of socially responsible or ethical investments during last two decades. Because of the increasing size and importance of ethical mutual funds, this paper seeks to evaluate and compare the performance of ethical mutual funds with general funds and benchmark index (S&P BSE Shariah 500 Equity Index) in the Indian market. The sample comprises six ethical fund schemes and three general fund schemes of Tauras mutual fund over the period 2009-2014 using weekly NAVs. The study uses return, risk, risk-adjusted measures (Sharpe ratio, Treynor ratio, Jensens alpha and information ratio), Famas decomposition measure, paired samples t-test, and growth regression equation to accomplish the objectives. The findings suggest that some of the ethical funds generated significantly higher return than other funds and benchmark index. Despite having higher risk, ethical funds outperformed other funds and benchmark index on the basis of various risk-adjusted measures and net selectivity returns. This indicates that the compromise made with respect to diversification by investing in ethical funds was well rewarded in terms of higher returns in Indian context. Our findings lend support to the case of ethical investing in India. Mutual funds and other investment funds should launch schemes which invest in socially responsible or ethical stocks.

Do Ethical Funds Underperform Conventional Funds? Empirical Evidence from India

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanita Tripathi ◽  
Varun Bhandari
Keyword(s):  
Mutual Funds ◽  
Mutual Fund ◽  
Information Ratio ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Investment Funds ◽  
Ethical Investing ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Ethical Investments ◽  
Equity Index ◽  
Ethical Funds

One of the significant developments in the investing community is the rise of socially responsible or ethical investments during last two decades. Because of the increasing size and importance of ethical mutual funds, this paper seeks to evaluate and compare the performance of ethical mutual funds with general funds and benchmark index (S&P BSE Shariah 500 Equity Index) in the Indian market. The sample comprises six ethical fund schemes and three general fund schemes of Tauras mutual fund over the period 2009-2014 using weekly NAVs. The study uses return, risk, risk-adjusted measures (Sharpe ratio, Treynor ratio, Jensens alpha and information ratio), Famas decomposition measure, paired samples t-test, and growth regression equation to accomplish the objectives. The findings suggest that some of the ethical funds generated significantly higher return than other funds and benchmark index. Despite having higher risk, ethical funds outperformed other funds and benchmark index on the basis of various risk-adjusted measures and net selectivity returns. This indicates that the compromise made with respect to diversification by investing in ethical funds was well rewarded in terms of higher returns in Indian context. Our findings lend support to the case of ethical investing in India. Mutual funds and other investment funds should launch schemes which invest in socially responsible or ethical stocks.

scholarly journals Do Socially Responsible Investment Funds Sell Losses and Ride Gains? The Disposition Effect in SRI Funds

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8142
Author(s):  
Beatrice Boumda ◽  
Darren Duxbury ◽  
Cristina Ortiz ◽  
Luis Vicente
Keyword(s):  
Mutual Fund ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Investment Strategy ◽  
Socially Responsible Investment ◽  
Disposition Effect ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Investment Funds ◽  
Responsible Investment ◽  
Fund Managers ◽  
Ethical Investments

An increasing percentage of the total net assets under professional management is devoted to ethical investments. Socially responsible investment (SRI) funds have a dual objective: building an investment strategy based on environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) screens and providing financial returns to investors. In the current study, we investigate whether this dual objective has an influence on the behavior of mutual fund managers in the realization of gains and losses. Evidence has shown that most investors in SRI funds invest in those funds primarily because of their social concerns. If the motivations of SRI managers align with those of SRI investors, SRI managers might then have more incentives than conventional managers to hold onto losing stocks if they feel their social value compensates for the economic loss. We hypothesize that SRI managers would be less prone to the disposition effect than conventional managers. Pertaining to the disposition effect, we do not find evidence of a difference in the behavior of SRI fund managers compared with that of conventional fund managers. Our results hold, even when considering market trends, management structure, gender, and prior performance.

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.

The Performance of CSR Mutual Funds and Investment Decision-Making

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 229
Author(s):  
Jen-Der Day ◽  
Thuy Mai Trinh Nguyen ◽  
Chia Nan Wang ◽  
George Yungchih Wang
Keyword(s):  
Mutual Funds ◽  
Mutual Fund ◽  
Investment Decision ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Forecast Accuracy ◽  
Sharpe Ratio ◽  
Decision Table ◽  
Information Ratio ◽  
Investment Funds ◽  
Investment Decision Making

<p>Nowaday, Corporate Socially Responsible (CSR) mutual funds are becoming a popular investment option for investors. However, no any research confirms whether CSR Mutual fund activity is better than market index or not. Besides, we should have one method can help con sequently investors in making the decision to select appropriate investment funds. In this study, we measure the financial performance of a sample of 15 CSR mutual funds in the world, with the monthly return over the period 2008-2013, then we propose the dession table. We first use the measures to evaluate the performance of mutual funds such as Alpha (α), Sharpe Ratio (SR), and Information Ratio (IR). And then, we use the obtained decision table to evaluate the predictability by each measure. The results indicate that only 3 of the 15 CSR mutual funds achieve good performance results based on the statistical significance of the two measures Sharpe Ratio and Information Ratio. In addition, the IR is suggested to evaluate and make investment decisions in the future and it also is the best one among the three measures. The decision table suggest investors a measure forecast accuracy way.</p>

scholarly journals PENGUKURAN METODE RASIO INFORMASI, RASIO SORTINO DAN ROY SAFETY FIRST RATIO PADA KINERJA REKSADANA SAHAM SYARIAH PERIODE 2015-2017

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. 1644
Author(s):  
Nur Rohman Azis ◽  
Atina Shofawati
Keyword(s):  
Mutual Funds ◽  
Mutual Fund ◽  
Information Ratio ◽  
Performance Result ◽  
Positive Performance ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive ◽  
Level Performance ◽  
Safety First ◽  
One Way Anova ◽  
Sortino Ratio

The Objective of this research is to identify whether there is a different level performance of mutual funds in syariah shares among Information Ratio, Sortino Ratio, and Roy Safety First Ratio. This analysis using qualitative descriptive. In this case, the authority of money service website mentions there are 21 mutual funds in syariah shares could be taken as the sample of the analysis by using purposive sampling method. Verification result is done by One-way Anova test. The measurement result of the mutual fund in syariah shares uses the method Information Ratio provides 3 mutual funds in syariah shares are in positive performance in 2015 and 2017 and 5 mutual funds in syariah shares are in negative performance in 2016. It means there is a different performance result of mutual fund in syariah shares. The result Sortino ratio provides all of mutual fund share are in negative performance in all of year. It means there is no different performance result of mutual fund in syariah shares. The result Roy Safety First Ratio provides all of mutual funds in syariah shares are in negative performance in 2015, 2 mutual funds in syariah shares are in negative performance in 2016 and 4 mutual funds in syariah shares are in positive performance in 2017. It means there is no different performance result of mutual fund in syariah shares.Keywords: Performace of mutual funds, Information Ratio, Sortino Ratio, Roy Safety First Ratio, Mutual Funds in Syariah Shares

scholarly journals Does Sustainability Score Impact Mutual Fund Performance?

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2972 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Durán-Santomil ◽  
Luis Otero-González ◽  
Renato Heitor Correia-Domingues ◽  
Juan Carlos Reboredo
Keyword(s):  
Mutual Funds ◽  
Mutual Fund ◽  
Value At Risk ◽  
Fund Performance ◽  
Fund Flows ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Equity Fund ◽  
Socially Responsible Investments ◽  
Mutual Fund Flows ◽  
European Equity

Given that sustainable investing constitutes a major force across global financial markets, in 2016 Morningstar began reporting Morningstar Sustainability scores. We used the 2016, 2017 and 2018 scores to study the effects of socially responsible investments (SRI) on European equity fund performance. Sustainability scores impacted positively on performance, which was consistent with the idea that the mutual funds invested in companies with better scores generate better risk-adjusted and not-risk adjusted performance. We also tested the relation on mutual fund flows and risk. The sustainability score in the previous year is significant on the flows, so higher-rated funds receive a larger volume of funds. In terms of risk, the level of sustainability is negatively related to the value at risk (VaR) of the fund, supporting that higher scored mutual funds offer better protection against extreme losses.

Under pressure: exploring pressures for corporate social responsibility in mutual funds

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caddie Putnam Rankin
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Mutual Funds ◽  
Mutual Fund ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Responsible Investment ◽  
Industry Standards ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Depth Interviews

PurposeThis empirical study seeks to understand how mutual fund firms interpret conflicting pressures to conform or differentiate in the context of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Research suggests that organizations engage in practices that conform to industry standards in order to be seen as legitimate members of their industry. Other studies suggest that organizations differentiate themselves in order to compete and outperform their rivals. Pressures for organizational conformity and differentiation are explored in two types of organizations in the mutual fund industry: socially responsible investment (SRI) and non-SRI firms.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on qualitative in-depth interviews with twenty-six mutual funds.FindingsThe analysis revealed that pressures for conformity and differentiation were salient among mutual fund executives but emphasized differently for the two types of mutual funds.Originality/valueThe study concluded by suggesting SRI firms use both strategies of conformity and differentiation to amplify the message that they adhere to the values of CSR.

Style-changing behaviour in the socially responsible mutual fund industry: consequences on financial and sustainable performance

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Muñoz ◽  
María Vargas ◽  
Ruth Vicente
Keyword(s):  
Mutual Funds ◽  
Mutual Fund ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Performance ◽  
Panel Regressions ◽  
Money Flows ◽  
Socially Responsible Mutual Funds ◽  
Performance Ranking

Purpose This study aims to examine style-deviation practices in the socially responsible mutual funds (SMRF) industry i.e. how mutual funds game their stated financial objectives to earn a higher relative performance ranking. In addition, the consequences of such practices on sustainable scores and money flows are studied. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 454 US equity SRMFs is studied. This paper uses panel regressions controlling for time and style fixed-effects. Findings This study finds that 17.60% of SRMF managers in the sample are engaged in style deviation practices. These practices positively impact the sustainable performance of SRMFs and negatively impact their financial performance. One effect offsets the other and they consequently do not affect money flows. Another finding is that only investors with lower portfolio sustainability scores do show return-chaser behaviour. Practical implications This paper reveals that SRMF managers deviating from their stated financial style face a dilemma that is non-existent for their conventional peers that is style deviation practices affect financial and sustainable performance in opposing ways, whereas SRMF investor utility depends positively on both dimensions. The findings are not conclusive about the effectiveness of style deviation practices in attracting SRMF money flows. Social implications SRMF industry has experienced tremendous growth in the past decade. The increased competition in this industry has led managers to strive to attract investors, sometimes by relying on irregular practices that enhance their portfolio results. Regulators should consider how to avoid such perverse behaviour with a view to improving mutual funds transparency. Originality/value This is the first research that analyses style deviation practices and their consequences for the SRMF industry.

scholarly journals Mutual Fund Performance in Slovenia: An Analysis of Mutual Funds with Investment Policies in Europe and the Energy Sector

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanja Hribernik ◽  
Uroš Vek
Keyword(s):  
Mutual Funds ◽  
Mutual Fund ◽  
Fund Performance ◽  
Energy Sector ◽  
Mutual Fund Performance ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Information Ratio ◽  
Risk And Return ◽  
Investment Policies ◽  
Fund Managers

Mutual Fund Performance in Slovenia: An Analysis of Mutual Funds with Investment Policies in Europe and the Energy Sector This paper examines the risk and return performance of mutual funds in Slovenia from 2005 until August 2009. The research is limited to the regional investment policies in Europe and the energy sector. Using monthly returns, we analyzed different risk-adjusted measures such as: the Treynor ratio, the Sortino ratio and the Information ratio. We also studied selections and timing ability using the Treynor-Mazuy model. The risk and return performance of mutual funds in the Slovenian market does not deviate from those in developed markets. We also found out that the selection ability of fund managers is better than market timing and that the findings of this paper are in accordance with other international studies.

scholarly journals “A Study On The Sustainable Investment Funds With Sepcial Reference To State Bank Of India Esg Mutual Fund Shcemes”

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 261-266
Author(s):  
Dr. A. Anis Akthar Sulthana Banu Et.al
Keyword(s):  
Mutual Fund ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Investment Portfolio ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Equity Fund ◽  
Investment Funds ◽  
Responsible Investment ◽  
Sustainable Investment ◽  
Secondary Data Sources

Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) refers to the allocation of funds in certain practises that have a high social impact. It includes assessing businesses on the Environmental , Social and Governance (ESG) screens. A socially conscious investor may either invest directly in financial markets or through investment instruments such as mutual funds via ESG fund schemes. Very few of the numerous mutual fund organizations have implemented ESG Fund schemes to appeal to SRI investors. The SBI Mutual Fund is the first AMC to follow this and has been benchmarked against the Nifty 100 ESG indices. A correlation analysis is made among the results of the SBI Mutual Fund and the NIFTY to compare the four different types of SBI ESG funds and their sector wise participation in different industries. This research paper is methodological in nature as it interprets the published secondary data sources of the SBI Mutual Fund and the NIFTY indices. The goal of this paper is to assess the efficacy of the ESG Equity Fund in the investment portfolio of mutual fund investors and to enable small and medium-sized investors to contribute their money to ESG-driven mutual fund schemes.

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