Abstract
Using unique micro data on U.S. institutional investor portfolios, this paper studies how capital, meant to be invested globally, is actually diversified internationally. We show that although the mutual fund industry has moved toward funds that have more flexibility to invest across countries and regions (global funds), mutual funds invest in a finite, rather small number of firms, almost independently of the set of available instruments. The number of mutual fund holdings in stocks and countries from a given region declines as funds become more global. This restricted investment practice has a cost: there are unexploited gains from international diversification. Mutual funds could achieve better returns by broadening their investment scope to include stocks held by specialized funds within the same mutual fund family. This investment pattern is neither explained by the lack of available instruments or information, nor by a better ability of global funds to minimize losses.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
