Open-end Mutual Funds Research Articles

Improving the Quality of Modeling the Efficiency of Managing Portfolios of Polish Open-ended Investment Funds in 2018-2021

The paper examines investment efficiency of Polish open-ended mutual funds in the period before and during a pandemic. For this purpose the Trynor-Mazuy model, estimated for two periods of one and a half years was used. On this basis, various aspects of portfolio management of equity, balanced, stable growth and bond funds were evaluated. In particular, the skills of selecting assets for portfolios, market timing and following the market trend were assessed. The influence of volatility on fund performance was also taken into account by examining the ARCH effect and constructing GARCH models. At the same time, the improvement of the quality of market timing modeling was assessed

Cash holding and performance analysis of mutual funds: a case of an emerging financial market

PurposeThis study is about the determinants of cash holding and impact of cash holding on mutual funds’ performance. In addition, the study analyzes the impact of performance-related determinants of cash holding on funds' performance.Design/methodology/approachPanel data of ten years of 190 open-end mutual funds are analyzed through fixed effect regression technique. The risk-adjusted funds' performance of cash based portfolios is computed through capital asset pricing model (CAPM) (1964), Fama and French (1993) and Carhart (1997) models.FindingsThe results indicate that small size funds, high charging front-end load funds, high turnover ratio funds, high 12-month fund returns run up, high dividend paying funds and high redemption level funds hold more cash for precautionary purpose to avoid costs of cash short-falls. Further, monthly average raw returns and risk-adjusted performance of funds with the lowest raw and residual cash holding are found higher than the funds with the highest cash holding. An increase in cash is found to dilute performance.Originality/valueThis is a pioneer study in a corporate environment with shallow capital market, reliance of businesses on bank credit, firms exposed to agency issues, wealth expropriations and existence of business groups with political linkages but with opportunities of investments due to expected favorable geo-socio-political situation. The study generates outcomes relevant for other similar economies.

Mutual Fund Performance Persistence and Competition: Pakistan’s Open Ended Mutual Fund Performance Analysis

Mutual Funds through its professional managers enable small investors to enjoy benefits of capital market with small amount. This study with special focus on Pakistani Mutual Fund industry, tests the suitability of traditional measures and multifactor, asset pricing models on the Mutual Fund performance. Owing to rareness of the applicability of the multifactor models in comparison to traditional measures, in evaluating Mutual Fund performance in modern day Pakistani research, the study uses CAPM, Fama French, Carhart models in the performance evaluation of Pakistan Mutual Fund. The data of 100 open-end Mutual Funds, for the period 2005 to 2017 was collected from Mutual Fund Association of Pakistan; while the risk free rates data was collected from State Bank of Pakistan and Stock data from Pakistan Stock Exchange for predicting the results, Ratio analysis, CAPM, Fama French-3 Factor and Carhart-4 factor model were used to understand its suitability. The results demonstrated that application of CAPM, affect market factors of majority of the portfolios.Where as in other two models (Fama French, Carhart) the majority of the portfolios are insignificantly affected by the size factor, value factor and Momentum factor. The Gibbon Rose Shanken unveils the suitability of the best model and justify CAPM as the better model among the three competing models in evaluate on theMutual Fund performance in Pakistan. The study has certain implications for the managers of assets management companies as well as useful for the investors in knowing which funds perform better and which kind of funds are ideal for investment.

Top-bottom investing skill and the fund alpha in Indian mutual fund industry: an empirical investigation

PurposeMutual funds are the second most preferred investment option in India and have garnered considerable research interest. The focus of Indian studies thus far has been restricted to the bottom-up approach of investing which rewards a fund manager for picking winner stocks and generates superior returns. While changing portfolio allocation as per varying macro-trends has been instrumental in generating superior returns, it has not been given the desired attention. This study addresses this important research gap.Design/methodology/approachThe authors analyze the industry selection ability of the fund manager on a robust sample by decomposing alpha into alpha due to industry selection and alpha attributable to stock selection. Alpha estimates are computed on a robust sample of 34 open-ended Indian equity mutual funds for a 10-year duration 2011–2020 using three base models of asset pricing – single-factor, four-factor and five-factor alpha under panel data methodology.FindingsThe study leads us to four major findings. One, industry selection explains more than two-fifth of the alpha both in cross-section and time series of returns; two, industry selection exhibits persistence for more than four quarters across asset pricing model; third, younger funds have level playing when alpha from picking right industries is concerned; four, broad industry allocation continues to explain superior returns as sector allocation undergoes consolidation during ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and funds increase exposure to defensive stocks, consistent with folio allocations as per macroeconomic conditions.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors find strong evidence of persistence in the case of alpha attributable to the industry selection component, and the findings are consistent with the persistence results reported in the empirical literature. While some funds excel in stock-picking skills and others excel in picking the right industries, both skills together make for winner funds that attract larger investor flows as investors chase superior performance. The authors also find no evidence of diseconomies of scale in the case of industry allocation alpha generated by the fund managers.Practical implicationsThe results suggest a fresh approach for investors while making mutual fund investment decisions; the investors can achieve superior returns by assessing industry selection skills as it tends to provide a more holistic picture concerning a perennial question – why some funds outperform and continue to contribute to investor's wealth?Social implicationsMutual funds have become a favored investment option for Indian investors more so as a disciplined investment option owing to dismal financial literacy rates. The study throws light on a relatively unaddressed dimension of choosing winner funds. The significance of right sector allocation assumed even more significance with the onset of the pandemic which lends further credence to the findings of the study.Originality/valueResearch has been conducted on secondary data extracted from a well-cited database for Indian mutual funds. Empirical analysis and conclusion drawn are based on authentic statistical analysis and adds to the existing literature.

Bank Borrowings by Asset Managers Evidence from U.S. Open-End Mutual Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds

In this note, we look into investment funds' access to and usage of bank credit, based on a new dataset on credit line (and other types of loan) extension by top bank holding companies to open-end mutual funds and ETFs in the United States. We find that the aggregate amount of bank lending to open-end funds and ETFs was small and greatly fluctuated across time. Bank credit, particularly in the form of credit lines, has offered funds a flexible liquidity source from which they can draw down cash in times of excessive fund outflows, such as during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. In particular, funds that hold relatively more illiquid assets, such as bank loan funds, are more reliant on bank credit lines.

Swing Pricing and Fragility in Open-End Mutual Funds

AbstractHow can fragility be averted in open-end mutual funds? In recent years, markets have observed an innovation that changed the way open-end funds are priced. Alternative pricing rules (known as swing pricing) adjust funds’ net asset values to pass on funds’ trading costs to transacting shareholders. Using unique data on investor-level transactions in U.K. corporate bond funds, we show that swing pricing eliminates the first-mover advantage arising from the traditional pricing rule and significantly reduces outflows during market stress. Swing pricing also reduces concavity in the flow-performance relationship and dilution in fund performance.

Liquidity Management and Asset Sales by Bond Funds in the Face of Investor Redemptions in March 2020

Investor redemptions are one factor behind asset sales by open-ended mutual funds, but an important additional factor is the selling due to the funds' liquidity management. Funds holding illiquid assets reacted to redemptions in March 2020 by adding to their cash buffers even after meeting investor redemptions. For such funds, asset sales exceeded investor redemptions. Increases in end-of-period cash holdings were less pronounced for funds that started the stress period with larger buffers, suggesting that such funds were less prone to selling at the height of the stress.

The Impact of Investor Sentiment on Stock Market Liquidity: The Mediating Role of Investor Herding Behavior “An Empirical Study on the Egyptian Stock Exchange”

Behavioral finance is a recent approach in financial markets that have appeared because of the complexities long faced by the traditional or neoclassical finance theory. This paper investigates the influence of investor sentiment and herding behaviour on stock market liquidity using an empirical study on the Egyptian Stock Market. We examine the direct impact of Egyptian investor sentiment on the Egyptian Stock Market liquidity. As well as the indirect impact of the Egyptian investor sentiment on the Egyptian Stock Market liquidity through the Egyptian investor herding behaviour. Therefore, the major contribution is filling the gap of indirect sentiment-liquidity impact conflict. We use the monthly data of the EGX30 index from January 2004 up to December 2018 for building up investor sentiment index, investor herding behaviour, and stock market liquidity measures. Moreover, we are using two additional types of data (closed-end mutual fund discounts and the equity open-end mutual fund flows) that represent major measures which are used to build up investor sentiment index ranging through the same time-series of the previously mentioned period of this paper. Additionally, we use four control variables for stock market liquidity, namely market volatility, excess market return, term spread, and lag of the dependent variable, considering that the fourth variable is also used for investor herding behaviour. Our result shows that the investor sentiment index has both a direct and indirect impact on stock market liquidity. In addition, regarding event study analysis’ results, there are different signs of the direct and indirect impacts and different correlations between the research variables throughout the four different events that differ completely from the usual signs and correlations of the theoretical background.

How upstream cooperatives limit downstream holdups

Abstract In this paper, we consider a downstream firm negotiating with an upstream firm, and we investigate the impact of the organizational form of the upstream firm. We show that if the upstream firm is organized like a traditional cooperative, where the members have free delivery rights and where surplus is shared in proportion to the deliveries, the downstream firm is less subject to a holdup. The cooperative form makes it possible for the upstream firm to credibly commit to deliveries. Traditional cooperatives are often considered as suffering from a volume management problem, which leads to excessive deliveries. Remedying this problem is the objective of the so-called new generation cooperatives. In a supply chain context, however, this problem may actually be beneficial. Specifically, it limits the upstream firm’s ability to hold up the downstream firm, which in turn makes possible specific downstream investments that are closer to first best. Our model lends structure to several real-world phenomena, including the apparent success of marketing cooperatives in farming, the success of open-end mutual funds, and the organization of aggregators in the new economy.

The Behavior of Fixed-income Funds during COVID-19 Market Turmoil

This note analyzes the stress experienced (and caused) by open-end mutual funds during the March COVID-19 stress episode, with a focus on global fixed-income funds. In light of increased valuation uncertainty, funds experienced a short period of intense withdrawals while the market liquidity of their holdings deteriorated substantially. To cover redemptions, afflicted funds predominantly shed liquid assets first—for example, cash, cash equivalents, and US Treasury securities. But forced asset sales amplified price pressures in markets and contributed to liquidity falling across fixed-income markets. This drop in market liquidity, as well as the general stress in financial markets, may have led to fund investors becoming even more sensitive to challenging portfolio performance and encouraged further withdrawals. Only after central banks intervened, directly and indirectly supporting asset managers, did liquidity and redemption stress subside. Overall, the March episode validated the financial-stability concerns about liquidity vulnerabilities in the fund industry and calls for further action to address them.

Investing in Low-Trust Countries: On the Role of Social Trust in the Global Mutual Fund Industry

AbstractWe hypothesize that social trust, in mitigating contracting incompleteness, may have an important effect on the activeness and effectiveness of delegated portfolio management. Using a complete sample of worldwide open-end mutual funds, we find that trust is positively associated with the activeness of funds and that trust-related active share delivers superior performance (e.g., approximately 2% per year for cross-border investments). Moreover, “trust in the market” and “trust in managers” play important yet different roles for different types of cross-border delegated portfolio management. Our results suggest that trust acts as a fundamental building block for delegated portfolio management.

Capital Flows: the Role of Fund Manager Portfolio Reallocation

Global open-ended mutual funds are an increasingly important source of capital for emerging market economies (EMEs). Mutual funds, however, have a greater propensity than other overseas investors to change their holdings of EME bonds following changes in macroeconomic conditions. This paper considers why. We use a novel methodology – underpinned by data on individual security holdings – to distinguish between the two reasons why a fund's holdings of EME bonds might change: (i) the amount invested in the fund changes and (ii) the fund manager changes its portfolio allocations. We find that funds' responsiveness to changes in global macroeconomic conditions - push factors'' - is explained by investor flow decisions. Conversely, funds' responsiveness to changes in local macroeconomic conditions – pull factors'' – is explained by manager reallocation decisions. We also identify other institutional factors which impact reallocation decisions: changes in their leverage, changes to their benchmark, and changes in risk appetite (funds reallocate towards safer EMEs when global risk increases).

Dynamic Liquidity Preferences of Mutual Funds

This paper examines the relation between expected market volatility and open-end mutual funds’ liquidity preferences. Using a large panel of actively managed U.S. equity mutual funds, I show that mutual fund managers hold more cash and tilt their holdings more heavily towards liquid stocks during periods when expected market volatility is high. Cross-sectional tests suggest that the dynamic preferences for liquidity are driven by concerns over investor withdrawals during volatile times. Furthermore, I find evidence that this type of dynamic behavior leads to higher fund returns.

Do fund flows moderate persistence? Evidence from a global study

We investigate whether fund flows eliminate future abnormal performance and persistence as in Berk and Green (2004. “Mutual Fund Flows and Performance in Rational Markets.” Journal of Political Economy 112: 1269–1295) using a sample of open-end domestic equity mutual funds from 32 countries. We show that flows have only a small moderating effect on persistence even in the United States, where fund industry conditions most closely resemble the Berk and Green assumptions. In fact, we find that most countries do not have decreasing returns to scale in fund management and, as a result, flows have limited impact on mutual fund performance persistence.

Performance persistence of mutual funds: evidence from Bangladesh

Purpose: Since 1990s, the discussion on whether mutual funds can perform better and persistently as compare to market has become an ongoing issue. Current research investigates the performance persistence of equity mutual funds’, particularly in the financial market of Bangladesh.Theoretical Framework: Different researchers have strived to examine the performance of mutual funds by using numerous performance indicators and risk adjustment techniques.Design/Methodology/Approach: The equity mutual funds data for this study are obtained from DSE (Dhaka Stock Exchange) database. The sample set includes all open-end mutual funds from 2010 to 2015. There is no mutual fund that has ceased trade or merged with other mutual funds during the study period.Originality/Value: Broad literature have been directed on the performance and persistence of mutual funds in the American markets, while some of the studies also centered on Australia, China, Hong Kong and U.K. financial markets. However, in the context of Bangladesh’s financial market, no identical research has been carried on the performance persistence of mutual funds.Findings: The results reveal that the managers of equity mutual funds have selective ability to obtain higher returns in Bangladesh. Moreover, the past performance of mutual funds has an impact on their future performance. The size of mutual funds doesn’t have any impact on their performance. The parametric and non-parametric models demonstrate that as compare to long run, equity mutual funds in Bangladesh could perform persistently in the short-run.

Mutual Funds as Venture Capitalists? Evidence from Unicorns

Abstract “Founder-friendly” venture financings and nontraditional venture investors have both flourished over the past decade. Using detailed contract data, we study open-end mutual funds investing in private venture-backed firms. We posit that conflicts between early-stage venture investors and liquidity-constrained later-stage ones influence the classic agency problems affecting entrepreneurs and investors. We find that mutual funds with more stable funding are more likely to invest in private firms and that financing rounds with mutual fund participation have stronger redemption, stronger IPO-related rights, and less board representation. These findings are consistent with our conceptual framework.

CONVENTIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS OUT PERFORM ISLAMIC MUTUAL FUNDS IN THE CONTEXT OF PAKISTAN. A MYTH OR REALITY

Mutual Funds enable small investors to enjoy the benefits of the capital market instruments with small amount using the expertise of professional managers. This study examines the risk adjusted performance, timing and selection abilities of conventional and Islamic mutual funds in the context of Pakistan. The emergence of Islamic portfolio in the recent years has put mutual fund investors in puzzle, whether to opt for Islamic or conventional funds. The study analyzes 90 (ninety) open ended funds data, which is comprised of 45 each from Islamic and conventional funds, selected randomly over the period of 2011-2019, from the existing population of open-ended mutual funds. We employ asset pricing models i.e. CAPM (1966), and Fama French three factors (1993) model, to measure the risk adjusted performance, and Treynor and Mazuy (1966) model for predicting their selectivity and timing abilities. The results demonstrate that Conventional funds perform better than Islamic funds in term of risk adjusted performance, and conventional funds predict better market timing and selection abilities than its Islamic portfolio. The study has certain implications for the managers of the assets management companies in selecting their best portfolios, making timely investment and will, also be useful for the investors in knowing funds, which perform better.Keywords: Risk adjusted performance, Market timing and Selection abilities, Open ended mutual fund, PakistanJEL Classifications: G22, G12DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/ijefi.10090

Monitoring the Liquidity Profile of Mutual Funds

Policymakers and academics have been particularly attuned to the issues of liquidity transformation and first mover advantage at open-end mutual funds. Open-end mutual funds engage in liquidity transformation because they promise one-day redemptions on their assets, even when the invested assets have low or uncertain liquidity.

Redemption in Kind and Mutual Fund Liquidity Management

Open-end mutual funds can use redemption in kind to satisfy investor redemptions by delivering securities instead of cash. We find that funds that reserve their rights to redeem in kind experience less redemption after poor performance. Evidence from actual in-kind transactions reveals several unique mechanisms for redemption in kind to mitigate fund runs, including the delivery of more illiquid stocks and stocks with greater tax overhang. Funds also suffer less from the adverse impact of outflows on their performance. On the other hand, redeeming investors bear significant liquidation costs when they are forced to sell securities on their own.

Mutual Funds Performance (A Case of Pakistan Open Ended Mutual Funds)

Mutual Funds through its professional managers enable small investors to enjoy benefits of capital market with small amount. This study with special focus on Performance-Chasing Behavior and Mutual Funds in an Emerging Economy like Pakistan. The data of 100 open-end Mutual Funds, for the period 2013 to 2018 was collected from Mutual Fund Association of Pakistan; while the risk free rates data was collected from State Bank of Pakistan and Stock data from Pakistan Stock Exchange for predicting the results, Ratio and models were used to understand its suitability. The study has certain implications for the investors in knowing which funds perform better and which kind of funds are ideal for investment.