Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Previous studies show that interest rates, dividend yields and other commonly available variables are useful market indicators. Although this has produced new insights into asset pricing models, it has not been applied to the measurement of unit trust funds' performance. This study introduces a set of predetermined variables into the measures of performance of South African unit trust fund managers. This paper modifies classical performance measures to incorporate these well-known market indicators. The performance and strategy of the South African general equity unit trust managers are evaluated for the period 1989 to 2002. The incorporation of these predetermined variables is both statistically and economically significant. It is concluded that when the conditional measures are applied to this sample of unit trusts, their performance improves and there is no evidence of market timing strategy. This study advocates conditional performance evaluation in which the relevant expectations are conditioned on public information variables. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vorige studies toon dat rentekoerse, dividendopbrengste en ander algemeen beskikbare veranderlikes bruikbare markaanwysers is. Hoewel dit nuwe insigte in bateprysbepalingsmodelle bring, is dit nog nie toegepas op die meting van effektetrust prestasie nie. Hierdie ondersoek gebruik 'n stel voorafbepaalde veranderlikes in die prestasiemeting van Suid-Afrikaanse effektetrust bestuurders. Hierdie werkstuk wysig klassieke prestasiemetings om die bekende markaanwysers in ag te neem. Die prestasie van Suid-Afrikaanse algemene aandele-effektetrusts vir die tydperk van 1989 tot 2002 is geëvalueer met behulp van hierdie wysigings. Daar word bevind dat die gebruik van hierdie voorafbepaalde veranderlikes statisties sowel as ekonomies beduidend is. Hierdie ondersoek bevind dat die prestasie van die steekproef van effektetrusts verbeter wanneer voorwaardelike metings daarop toegepas word. Daar is geen bewys van marktydberekeningstrategie nie. Hierdie werkstuk beveel voorwaardelike prestasie-evaluering aan waarin die betrokke verwagtings bepaal word deur veranderlikes wat openbare inligting is.

藉由觀察台灣共同基金的費用與規模，探討台灣的共同基金是否存在規模經濟的現象，實證結果發現，個別基金的費用與規模之間，並無顯著的規模經濟；而基金家族底下的總資產在台幣四千到七千萬時，有顯著的規模經濟現象；透過logit模型，發現基金成立的年限、報酬、以及標準差對基金的規模經濟都有顯著的正面影響；採用Fixed-effect模型，基金成立的年限及報酬，仍對基金的規模經濟都有顯著的正面影響。 / All mutual funds typically pay their regular and recurring, fund-wide operating expenses out of fund assets, rather than by imposing separate fees and charges on investors. Investors using performance evaluation as a selection criterion may be misleading due to the volatility of investment returns. It is obscured to identify whether the fund’s performance is because of the superior return or just good luck. However, mutual fund expenses are stable and can be used as an assessment of the variation in efficiency levels across various mutual fund size groupings when we took the individual mutual funds or mutual fund families as the unit of investigation. This study uncovers that no significant differences exist across individual mutual fund size categories. By utilizing the family dollar size as the base unit of analysis, the result is similar. But there are distinctions in the analysis of mutual fund-specific elasticities when the fund family size is between NT$40-70 million dollars. However, mutual fund-specific elasticities are revealed to differ in a statically significant level across mutual fund investment objective categories. By applying the logistic regression, the results indicate that age, return, and standard deviation have statistically significant positive effects on the economies of scale. By applying the fixed-effect model and making the intercepts vary with various mutual funds family, our results are stable and consistent. Mutual funds’ age or return demonstrates positive effect on the scale of economies.

In this study, we examine the predictive power of Morningstar’s new ratings for mutual funds’ future performance and compare its predictive power with four competing predictors. We also examine Morningstar’s new ratings’ predictive power in bull and bear periods. Furthermore, we compare the predictive power of the new and old star-ratings. We perform all these tests for both U.S. and Canadian equity funds. We use a regression model and non-parametric tests in this study. The results suggest Morningstar’s new ratings accurately rank funds and predict out-of-sample performance of only five-star rated complete funds for short- and medium-terms for U.S., and for medium-term only for Canada. Also, predictive power of Morningstar’s new ratings is low compared to four alternative predictors for both countries. Further, the new star ratings accurately predicts for bear period for both markets. The old ratings (new ratings), however relatively predict better for U.S. funds (Canadian funds). / ix, 184 leaves ; 29 cm

The first chapter deals with basic issues of mutual fund industry. The aim of this chapter is to look at mutual fund as an institution especially from a fundamental economic perspective and come through into its economic nature. Furthermore the chapter contain description of main benefits of mutual funds as compared with the individual investment, draws attention to the problem of conflicts of interest and contains the basic classification of investment funds. The aim of the second chapter is to describe in basic features of legal framework of mutual fund industry in Czech Republic in the light of new Investment Company and Investment Fund Law. With regard to the scope of respective law, focuses the chapter mainly on applicability, structure, individual persons, legal forms and on some chosen questions. Content of the third chapter is brief treatise about taxation with respect to the mutual fund industry. This include case study performed on model situation and outline to the investment fund taxation in Luxembourg and Cayman Islands. The goal of this chapter is to evaluate whether intention to set up an attractive tax environment in the Czech Republic was successful or not.

M.Com. (Financial Management) / Over the last three decades, socially responsible investing (SRI) has emerged as one of the foremost issues faced by individuals and institutions in their daily activities. While the roots of responsible investing date back to the 18th century, the recent focus on responsible investing has been impactful. There has been growth in understanding the impact of investors’ decisions on long-term sustainability of business and society. In South Africa, the recent amendment of Regulation 28 of Pension Funds Act of 1956 and the introduction of the Code for Responsible Investing in South Africa (CRISA) are some of the latest developments in support of SRI. This minor dissertation evaluates the performance of SRI funds relative to traditional funds from January 2006 to June 2011. Specifically, the focus is on four main measures. Firstly, SRI funds relative to SRI funds’ own mandated benchmark; secondly, SRI funds relative to proxy market benchmark indices; thirdly, SRI funds relative to a matched sample of traditional unit trust funds; and lastly, SRI indices relative to traditional market indices. Twenty-seven funds were analysed in the study. The first finding was that SRI funds outperform their respective benchmarks on an unadjusted basis. Secondly, SRI funds showed slightly better risk-adjusted performance compared to proxy benchmark indices. Thirdly, SRI funds underperformed against a matched sample of traditional peers. Lastly, the FTSE/JSE SRI Equity Index underperformed against the general market equity index, but outperformed both the bonds and money market indices.

Thesis advisor: Ronnie Sadka / In the first essay of this dissertation, I study the impact that hedge fund manager connections have on investment ideas. I find that hedge fund managers who previously worked at the same prior hedge fund invest more similarly, hold more overlapping portfolios, and trade and overweight the same stocks relative to managers who do not share an employment connection. Overall, these results support theoretical prediction that networked managers share ideas that leads to price discovery for commonly held stocks. The second essay analyzes the role of ETFs in mutual fund families and is joint work with Caitlin Dannhauser. We study mutual fund and ETF twins - index funds from the same family that follow the same benchmark. We find that mutual fund twins have lower overall tax burdens while ETF twins have higher long-term yields and unrealized capital gains, but are compensated with lower expense ratios. Fund families benefit because twin offerings generate higher flows than their non-twin peers. These results support previous research that mutual fund families use diversification and subsidization to benefit the overall family. In the third essay, I study the use of latent factors in explaining hedge fund returns. Using an alternative latent factor estimator, asymptotic principal components (APC), I find explains more of the common variation of hedge fund returns on average and does so with greater efficiency than that found in the literature. I also identify an increase in the common variation across hedge fund excess return in the time-series via the extracted latent factors. My results suggest an impetus for future researchers to employ APC factors when characterizing hedge fund performance. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2017. / Submitted to: Boston College. Carroll School of Management. / Discipline: Finance.

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Management in Finance and Investments In the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management University of the Witwatersrand, Wits Business School, 2016 / This paper presents a first time application of a variant of the concepts underpinning the Fed Model, amalgamated with the Bond-Stock Earnings Yield Differential, by applying it to the dividend yields of REIT indices. This modification is termed the yield gap, quantitatively constructed and adapted in this paper as the Reverse REIT-Bond Yield Gap. This metric is then used as the variable of interest in a multivariate Markov regime switching model framework, along with a set of three regressors. The REIT indices trailing dividend yield and associated metrics are the FTSE/EPRA NAREIT series. All data are from Bloomberg Terminals. This paper examines 11 markets, of which the EMEs are classified as Brazil, Mexico, Turkey and South Africa, whereas the advanced market counterparts are Australia, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The time-frame spans the period June 2013 until November 2015 for the EMEs, whilst their advanced market counterparts time-span covers the period November 2009 until November 2015. This paper encompasses a tri-fold research objective, and aims to accomplish them in a scientifically-based, objective and coherent fashion. Specifically, the purpose is in an attempt to gauge the reasons underlying EMEs observed anomalies entailing reverse REIT-Bond yield gaps, whereby their tenyear nominal government bonds out-yield their trailing dividend yields on their associated REIT indices; what drives fluctuations in this metric; and whether or not profitable tactical asset allocation strategies can be formulated to exploit any arbitrage mispricing opportunities. The Markov models were unable to generate clear-cut, definitive reasons regarding why EMEs experience this anomaly. Objectives two and three were achieved, except for France and Mexico. The third objective was also met. The REIT-Bond Yield Gaps static conditions have high probabilities of continuing in the same direction and magnitude into the future. In retrospection, the results suggest that by positioning an investment strategy, taking cognisance of the chain of economic events that are likely to occur following static REIT-Bond Yield Gaps, then investors, portfolio rebalancing and risk management techniques, hedging, targeted, tactical and strategic asset allocation strategies could be formulated to exploit any potential arbitrage profits. The REIT-Bond Yield Gaps are considered highly contentious, yet encompasses the potential for significant reward. The Fed Model insinuates that EME REIT markets are overvalued relative to their respective government bonds, whereas their advanced market counterparts exhibit the opposite phenomenon. / XL2018

Thesis advisor: Pierluigi Balduzzi / Thesis advisor: Jonathan Reuter / In the first essay of this dissertation, I study the impact of fund redemptions and resulting sell-offs on corporate bond yields. To control for unobserved changes in fundamentals, I study within-issuer variation of yield changes, resulting from differential exposure to redemptions and sell-offs. In contrast to previous findings for equity funds, I find no evidence indicating that bond funds destabilize the corporate bond market by moving prices beyond fundamental values. I attribute this finding to bond fund management. Although I find that investors demonstrate a bank-run like behavior, which is a potential source of destabilization, bond fund managers hold a significant level of liquid assets, allowing them to manage redemptions without excessively liquidating corporate bonds. Second essay of this dissertation looks at corporate bond Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) which are a new form of financial innovation. Since these investment vehicles are relatively new, little is known about their risks. In this paper, we study an event in the summer 2013, knows as the Taper Tantrum, when bond ETFs and mutual funds experienced massive unexpected outflows due to speculations about interest rate hikes. We find that ETF outflows during the Taper Tantrum lead to a significant increase in exposed corporate bond yields. The increase in yields lasts for seven months, which indicates a temporary fire sale effect. In contrast, we find no fire sale effect resulting from mutual fund outflows. We attribute this contrasting finding between the two vehicles to differences in portfolio construction and investor sensitivities. Finally, we study arbitrage opportunities, created by ETF shares mispricing, and their impact on bond yields. Third essay of this dissertation is about liquidity in the corporate bond market. In market distress, corporate bond investors tend to sell liquid assets and hold onto illiquid ones, a phenomenon which we call flight to illiquidity. We study the impact of flight to illiquidity on corporate bond prices/yields in cross-section as well as corporate bond returns in time-series. First, we show that liquidity price premium disappears in market distress, meaning that liquid bonds are not more expensive than illiquid bonds in distress times. Second, we show that illiquiduity return premium which exists during normal times, not only does not change sign or disappears, but also widens in market distress. In other words, liquid bonds deliver a lower return both on average and during market distress. This pattern is limited to investment grade corporate bonds. Our findings suggest that keeping the credit risk fixed, liquid bonds do not provide safety during the time it is needed the most. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2016. / Submitted to: Boston College. Carroll School of Management. / Discipline: Finance.

Thesis advisor: Thomas J. Chemmanur / My Ph.D. dissertation consists of three essays. The first essay examines the effect of hedge funds on target shareholder gains in leveraged buyouts (LBOs). I find that the initial buyout premium is increasing in the preannouncement presence of hedge funds, measured as the fraction of target equity held by hedge funds before the announcement. Using a geographic instrument for the presence of hedge fund, I find that this relationship persists even after controlling for endogeneity. I further show that this effect holds only for active hedge funds and long-term hedge funds, and is stronger for management-led LBOs than for third-party LBOs. Overall, the findings suggest that hedge funds protect target shareholder interests in LBOs by using their hold-out power. The second essay examines the relation between expected market volatility and the demand for liquidity in open-end mutual funds. The empirical results are consistent with precautionary motives for holding liquid assets, i.e., fund managers tilt their holdings more heavily toward liquid stocks when the market is expected to be more volatile. This dynamic preference for liquid stocks is more pronounced among small fund families, low-load funds, funds whose past performance has been unfavorable, funds with high return volatility, growth-oriented funds, and high-turnover funds. I further show that this type of behavior is valuable for fund investors during high volatility periods because it has led to significantly (both statistically and economically) higher subsequent abnormal returns. The third essay, co-authored with Thomas Chemmanur and Gang Hu, directly tests Brennan and Hughes' (1991) information production theory of stock splits by making use of a large sample of transaction-level institutional trading data. We compare brokerage commissions paid by institutional investors before and after a split, and relate the informativeness of institutional trading to brokerage commissions paid. We also compute realized institutional trading profitability net of brokerage commissions and other trading costs. Our results can be summarized as follows. First, both commissions paid and trading volume by institutional investors increase after a stock split. Second, institutional trading immediately after a split has predictive power for the firm's subsequent long-term stock return performance; this predictive power is concentrated in stocks which generate higher commission revenues for brokerage firms and is greater for institutions that pay higher brokerage commissions. Third, institutions make positive abnormal profits during the post-split period even after taking brokerage commissions and other trading costs into account; institutions paying higher commissions significantly outperform those paying lower commissions. Fourth, the information asymmetry faced by firms decreases after a split; the greater the increase in brokerage commissions after a split, the greater the reduction in information asymmetry. Overall, our results are broadly consistent with the implications of the information production theory. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2009. / Submitted to: Boston College. Carroll School of Management. / Discipline: Finance.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-25T16:44:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Luiz Eduardo Gasparelo.pdf: 1451752 bytes, checksum: 8a1ad6835b7f03a2bb6cdc4cdbd35d79 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-05-14 / The aim of this study is to raise and assess the main factors in the motivation of professionals who provide services related to management, administration and custody of mutual funds, using a descriptive research based on characteristics of a representative sample of these professionals in the city of Sao Paulo. The survey was developed from epistemologically validated methodology, driven to the sample recognized in the professional area (certified professionals ANBIMA) and their responses were compiled into a multidimensional matrix to evaluate the explanatory variables related to the level of motivation of professionals, including their remuneration level. It was concluded that, despite the importance given by these professionals to remuneration and reward for performance, several other factors are equally or more relevant, even showing that motivational factors of such professionals are dynamic and subject to alternations related to their career success / O objetivo deste estudo é levantar e avaliar os principais fatores determinantes na motivação dos profissionais que prestam serviços ligados à gestão, administração e custodia de fundos mútuos de investimentos. Para tal avaliação, será utilizada uma pesquisa descritiva baseada nas características de uma amostra representativa da população desses profissionais na cidade de São Paulo. A pesquisa foi elaborada com base em metodologia epistemologicamente validada, direcionada à amostra reconhecida no meio profissional (profissionais certificados pela ANBIMA), e suas respostas foram compiladas em uma matriz multidimensional que permitiu avaliar as variáveis explicativas relacionadas ao nível de motivação dos profissionais da área aqui investigada, inclusive seus patamares de remuneração. Conclui-se que, apesar da importância dada por tais profissionais ao patamar de remuneração e à recompensa pelo desempenho, diversos outros fatores são igualmente ou mais relevantes na motivação. Além disso, foi possível verificar que os fatores motivacionais desses profissionais apresentam dinamismo e alternâncias em função do sucesso de suas respectivas carreiras