Are defined contribution (DC) pension funds a stabilising factor in equity markets? Evidence from Chile, Italy, Mexico and Poland

2021 ◽  
Vol 148 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Taejin Han ◽  
Park Kyoung Gook ◽  
Dariusz Stańko

We analyse the investment behaviour of the defined contribution (DC) pension fund sector in equity markets during and after the 2008–2009 financial crisis until the years 2014–2016 and here for Chile, Mexico, Poland, and Italy. We employ quarterly data on equity purchases and sales and on cash flow at the level of the whole pension sector. Applied are the following methods: analysis of average quarterly transactions; scatter plot analysis of the relation between average quarterly net purchases and quarterly changes in asset value, a correlation analysis of average quarterly transactions in the equity market and its index values, regression analysis of average quarterly transactions in the equity market and its index values. The results indicate that in Poland and Italy, pension funds behaved counter-cyclically, whereas in Chile there are some signs, although less statistically significant, of pro-cyclical behaviour. In the case of Mexico no conclusions could be drawn. The investment behaviour of pension funds might be influenced not only by their strategic decisions but also by other factors that are related to the institutional framework they operate within (e.g. a strategic asset allocation benchmark may induce pro-cyclicality).

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-232
Author(s):  
PAOLA DE VINCENTIIS ◽  
ELEONORA ISAIA ◽  
PAOLA ZOCCHI

AbstractThis paper analyzes the performance of the Italian defined contribution guaranteed pension funds during the period 2008–2012 through a panel analysis. This paper is organized around three main research questions. The first one is focused on the probability of a guarantee payment in a given year. The second one deals with the determinants of the gap between actual return and minimum guaranteed yield on a yearly basis. The third one focuses on the factors affecting the weight of administrative and management costs and their relationship with the fund dimension.


2011 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 389-412
Author(s):  
E. Kovács ◽  
B. Dömötör ◽  
H. Naffa

Private pension funds were thought to be an important pillar of old-age provision when they were introduced throughout (Emerging) Europe. As different as these funds are in different countries with regards to their regulation, their ownership structure and operation, none were immune to the sub-prime led financial crisis. The Hungarian private pension funds are unique amongst the defined contribution (DC) funds. With their decade old recent history, they are maturing to the payout period in a few years’ time; however, their demise appears ever more realistic by means of political decision. This makes uncovering their investment policy during the crises very timely. Examining such a period is of importance in shedding light on the behaviour of traditional financial concepts in periods of stress. In this paper, we assess the optimality of diversification, hedging and short sales decision possibilities of the Hungarian pension funds in the equity investments environment. Was the net asset value (NAV) erosion suffered by the Hungarian private pension funds a result of their investment decision? We examine this question of diversification through a hypothetical simulation of model investment portfolios. Our results show that international diversification yields better risk-adjusted returns only in case of perfect hindsight of future market movements. The high correlation of the stock indices globally in times of crises limits the benefits of diversification.


2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-77
Author(s):  
Dale L. Flesher ◽  
Craig Foltin ◽  
Gary John Previts ◽  
Mary S. Stone

ABSTRACT Both the business media and the popular press have emphasized the underfunding problems associated with pension funds that are set aside for state and local government workers, a group that also includes teachers and professors at state-affiliated colleges and universities. The realization that pension funds are typically underfunded stems from the fact that the accounting standards associated with state and local government employee pension funds have led to greater transparency since 2011. This paper examines, explains, and interprets the historical development over the last 70 years of accounting standards for state and local government pension funds in the United States. Changing accounting standards, along with economic and social change, have led to consequences such as employers transforming their pension programs to avoid substantial costs and significant liabilities, for example by changing from defined benefit to defined contribution plans.


Author(s):  
Jianwu Lin ◽  
Mengwei Tang ◽  
Jiachang Wang ◽  
Ping He

With Private Funds having a new type of license for asset allocation practice in China, comprehensive asset allocation cross private equity and stock market has received more attention. However, most of the studies focus more on the stock market, and asset allocation models for private equity market that are mainly made based on experience. Thus, the joint allocation of assets crosses both markets making it a challenging research topic. This paper introduces the Black–Litterman model into the private equity market, realizing the transition from qualitative models to quantitative models. It lays a solid quantitative ground for the mixed asset allocation model in both the markets.


2019 ◽  
Vol 98 ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Arouri ◽  
Oussama M’saddek ◽  
Duc Khuong Nguyen ◽  
Kuntara Pukthuanthong

Author(s):  
Gizelle D. Willows ◽  
Thomas Burgers ◽  
Darron West

Background: There is growing uncertainty in global society with regard to how retirement savings should be approached. The primary reason for this is that most societies do not save enough and their citizens run out of money during retirement. Aim: This study investigates whether the limitations imposed by Regulation 28 of the Pension Funds Act of South Africa encourage optimal asset allocation and reduce investment risk for retirement savings when contrasted with discretionary investment. Setting: The study looks at hypothetical individuals who are subject to tax and retirement consequences as administered by South African legislation. Methods: A quantitative risk and return analysis was performed while considering two hypothetical investors who are identical in all aspects other than their choice of investments. Results: The findings indicate that Regulation 28 is effective in reducing the investment risk of retirement savings; however, it may also force the investor to sacrifice wealth. Conclusion: Depending on the tax bracket in which the investor sits, discretionary investment may be preferential to investing in a retirement fund under the mandate of Regulation 28.


2014 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rizwan Mushtaq ◽  
Zulfiqar Shah

This paper explores the dynamic liaison between US and three developing South Asian equity markets in short and long term. To gauge the long-term relationship, we applied Johansen co-integration procedure as all the representative indices are found to be non-stationary at level. The findings illustrate that the US equity market index exhibits a reasonably different movement over time in contrast to the three developing equity markets under consideration. However, the Granger-causality test divulge that the direction of causality scamper from US equity market to the three South Asian markets. It further indicates that within the three developing equity markets the direction of causality emanates from Bombay stock market to Karachi and Colombo. Overall, the results of the study suggest that the American investors can get higher returns through international diversification into developing equity markets, while the US stock market would also be a gainful upshot for South Asian investors.


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