This thesis consists of one stock return predictability study and two international risk exposure studies. The first study shows that the statistical significance of out-of-sample predictability of market returns given by Kelly and Pruitt (2013), using a partial least squares methodology, constructed from the valuation ratios of portfolios, is overstated for two reasons. Firstly, the analysis is conducted on gross returns rather than excess returns, and this raises the apparent predictability of the equity premium due to the inclusion of predictable movements of interest rates. Secondly, the bootstrap statistics used to assess out-of-sample significance do not account for small-sample bias in the estimated coefficients. This bias is well known to affect in-sample tests of significance and I show that it is also important for out-of-sample tests of significance. Accounting for both these effects can radically change the conclusions; for example, the recursive out-of-sample R2 values for the sample period 1965-2010 are insignificant for the prediction of one-year excess returns, and one-month returns, except in the case of the book-to-market ratios of six size- and value-sorted portfolios which are significant at the 10% level. The second study examines whether U.S. common stocks are exposed to international risks, which I define as shocks to foreign markets that are orthogonal to U.S. market returns. By sorting stocks on past exposure to this risk factor I show that it is possible to create portfolios with an ex-post spread in exposure to international risk. I examine whether the international risk is priced in the cross-section of U.S. stocks, and find that for small stocks an increase in exposure to international risk results in lower returns relative to the Fama-French three-factor model. I conduct similar analysis on a measure of the international value premium and find little evidence of this risk being priced in U.S. stocks. The third study examines whether a portfolios of U.S. stocks can mimic foreign index returns, thereby providing investors with the benefits of international diversification without the need to invest directly in assets that trade abroad. I test this proposition using index data from seven developed markets and eight emerging markets over the period 1975-2013. Portfolios of U.S. stocks are constructed out-of-sample to mimic these international indices using a step-wise procedure that selects from a variety of industry portfolios, stocks of multinational corporations, country funds and American depositary receipts. I also use a partial least squares approach to form mimicking portfolios. I show that investors are able to gain considerable exposure to emerging market indices using domestically traded stocks. However, for developed market indices it is difficult to obtain home-made exposure beyond the simple exposure of foreign indices to the U.S. market factor. Using mean-variance spanning tests I find that, with few exceptions, international indices do not improve over the investment frontier provided by the domestically constructed alternative of investing in the U.S. market index and portfolios of industries and multinational corporations.

Background: A well-known study, similar to ours, was made in 1985 in America, showing that "loser" portfolios outperformed the market while "winner" portfolios earned less return than the market. This finding is not in accordance with the theory of efficient markets. If a market is efficient, there should be no possibility of making sustainable excess returns and prices should follow a random walk. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to study a "winner" portfolio and a "loser" portfolio in order to establish whether the Swedish stock market is efficient in the weak form. We will study the efficiency of the A-list at Stockholm Stock Exchange. Delimitations: We test efficiency of the Swedish stock market in the weak form. Our investigation comprises stocks registered on the A-list of the Stockholm Stock Exchange. We do not take tax- and transactions costs into consideration in this study. Methodology: "Winner" and "loser" portfolios are formed for the period 1997- 2002. We keep the portfolios during a test period of one year, i.e. form new portfolios at the end of each year. The first winner and loser portfolios are selected on the last day of trading in 1996 and the last two portfolios are selected on the last day of trading in 2001. Results: Our result indicates that the Swedish stock market is efficient in the weak form during the period 1997-2002.

There are several authors Markowitz (1991), Elton and Gruber (1997) that discuss the main issues that an investor faces when investing, for example how to allocate resources among the variety of different securities. These issues have led to the discussion of portfolio theories, especially the Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT), which is developed by Nobel Prize awarded economist Harry Markowitz. This theory is the philosophical opposite of tradi-tional asset picking. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate if an investor can apply MPT in order to achieve a higher return than investing in an index portfolio. Combining a strong portfolio that beats the market in the longrun would be the ultimate goal for most investors. The theories that are used to analyze the problem and the empirical findings provide the essential concepts such as standard deviation, risk and return of the portfolio. Further, diversification, correlation and covariance are used to achieve the optimal risky portfolio. There will be a walk-through of the MPT, with the efficient frontier as the graphical guide to express the optimal risky portfolio. The methodology constitutes as the frame for the thesis. The quantitative method is used since the data input is gathered from historical data. This thesis is based on existing theories, and the deductive approach aims to use these theories in order to accomplish a valid and accurate analysis. The benchmark that is used to compare the results from the portfolio is the Stockholm stock exchange OMX 30. This index mimics and reflects the market as a whole. The portfolio will be reweighed at a preplanned schedule, each quarter to constantly obtain an optimal risky portfolio. The finding from this study indicates that the actively managed portfolio outperforms the passive benchmark during the selected timeframe. The outcome someway differs when evaluating the risk adjusted result and becomes less significant. The risk adjusted result does not provide any strong evidence for a greater return than index. Finally, with this finding, the authors can conclude by stating that an actively managed optimal risky portfolio with guidance of the MPT can surpass the OMX 30 within the selected timeframe.

<p>There are several authors Markowitz (1991), Elton and Gruber (1997) that discuss the main issues that an investor faces when investing, for example how to allocate resources among the variety of different securities. These issues have led to the discussion of portfolio theories, especially the Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT), which is developed by Nobel Prize awarded economist Harry Markowitz. This theory is the philosophical opposite of tradi-tional asset picking.</p><p>The purpose of this thesis is to investigate if an investor can apply MPT in order to achieve a higher return than investing in an index portfolio. Combining a strong portfolio that beats the market in the longrun would be the ultimate goal for most investors.</p><p>The theories that are used to analyze the problem and the empirical findings provide the essential concepts such as standard deviation, risk and return of the portfolio. Further, diversification, correlation and covariance are used to achieve the optimal risky portfolio. There will be a walk-through of the MPT, with the efficient frontier as the graphical guide to express the optimal risky portfolio.</p><p>The methodology constitutes as the frame for the thesis. The quantitative method is used since the data input is gathered from historical data. This thesis is based on existing theories, and the deductive approach aims to use these theories in order to accomplish a valid and accurate analysis. The benchmark that is used to compare the results from the portfolio is the Stockholm stock exchange OMX 30. This index mimics and reflects the market as a whole. The portfolio will be reweighed at a preplanned schedule, each quarter to constantly obtain an optimal risky portfolio.</p><p>The finding from this study indicates that the actively managed portfolio outperforms the passive benchmark during the selected timeframe. The outcome someway differs when evaluating the risk adjusted result and becomes less significant. The risk adjusted result does not provide any strong evidence for a greater return than index. Finally, with this finding, the authors can conclude by stating that an actively managed optimal risky portfolio with guidance of the MPT can surpass the OMX 30 within the selected timeframe.</p>

<p>Background: A well-known study, similar to ours, was made in 1985 in America, showing that "loser" portfolios outperformed the market while "winner" portfolios earned less return than the market. This finding is not in accordance with the theory of efficient markets. If a market is efficient, there should be no possibility of making sustainable excess returns and prices should follow a random walk. </p><p>Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to study a "winner" portfolio and a "loser" portfolio in order to establish whether the Swedish stock market is efficient in the weak form. We will study the efficiency of the A-list at Stockholm Stock Exchange. </p><p>Delimitations: We test efficiency of the Swedish stock market in the weak form. Our investigation comprises stocks registered on the A-list of the Stockholm Stock Exchange. We do not take tax- and transactions costs into consideration in this study. </p><p>Methodology: "Winner" and "loser" portfolios are formed for the period 1997- 2002. We keep the portfolios during a test period of one year, i.e. form new portfolios at the end of each year. The first winner and loser portfolios are selected on the last day of trading in 1996 and the last two portfolios are selected on the last day of trading in 2001. </p><p>Results: Our result indicates that the Swedish stock market is efficient in the weak form during the period 1997-2002.</p>

Syfte: Syftet med studien är att öka investerares förståelse angående hur olika finansiella instrument som emitterats av samma bolag skiljer sig åt. Inledning: Den ökade utvecklingen av de finansiella marknaderna har skapat ett ökat utbud av finansiella instrument. Flera företag har även emitterat flera olika finansiella instrument, vilket innebär att investerare står inför ett val av vilket instrument de vill exponera sig emot. Tidigare forskning är oense angående hur dessa instrument skiljer sig åt, då resultaten från tidigare studier har visat sig vara beroende på var studierna genomförs. Metod: Tidigare studier har använts som grund vid skapandet av studiens hypoteser, vilket innebär att studien är av en deduktiv karaktär. Studiens syfte innebär att stora mängder data analyseras vilket medför att studien är kvantitativ. Studien genomfördes på svenska bolag som emitterat minst två stycken finansiella instrument. Genom att skapa olika jämförelseportföljer som innehåller respektive tillgångsslag kunde vi analysera skillnaderna mellan portföljerna och därmed svara på studiens frågeställning. Resultat: Resultatet visar att det existerar skillnader mellan olika finansiella instrument som emitterats av samma bolag. Vilket innebär att investerare måste noggrant utvärdera sina valmöjligheter innan de genomför en investering, då risken är högre för finansiella instrument som har en högre rösträtt.  Nyckelord: Risk, avkastning, riskjusterad avkastning, finansiella instrument, investerare / Purpose: The purpose of this dissertation is to enhance investor’s understanding about the differences between various financial securities that are issued by the same company. Introduction: The development of the financial markets has created an increased range of financial securities. Same companies have also issued various financial securities, which means that the investors face the dilemma of choosing between the options. Previous researches disagree on how these various securities differ from each other, because their results have shown to be dependent on the location of investigation. Method: Previous studies have been used as the basis for the formulation of this study’s hypothesis, which means that it has a deductive character. The purpose of the study requires large amounts of data to be analyzed, which entails that a quantitative method has been used. The study has analyzed Swedish companies that have issued at least two different securities. By creating various portfolios that contain each security class we have been able to analyze the differences and to answer our research question. Conclusion: The result shows that there are some differences between various financial securities issued by the same company. This means that investor must carefully evaluate their options before implementing an investment, since the risk is greater for securities with superior voting power.  Key Words: Risk, return, risk-adjusted return, financial securities, investors

As a consequence of a turbulent financial market with recurring recessions, the Basel regime was developed, an institutional change with the purpose to create enhanced financial stability through increased capital requirements and increased scrutiny of internal procedures. The Basel regime is an often recurring element in social debates where various aspects are discussed, one of which is whether it maintains its purpose to secure financial stability or whether it is cost effective, and if not, who gets affected by these potential costs. The majority of previously conducted research within this area agrees with the opinion that changes in the regulatory framework within the financial markets, such as the Basel regime, has led to reduced risk of bankruptcy for the banks which has contributed to increased global financial stability. However, research illustrates that these types of changes in the regulatory framework impose a financial burden leading to contradictions in the division of these costs between costumers and shareholders. This dissertation has been conducted from a shareholders perspective, out of which the study ́s three hypothesis has been created from. The data in this study is built upon the stock price from the three largest available banks’ shares (based on total assets), in the 26 countries which are represented in the Basel committee from (2007) to (2013). Calculations of the shares’ systematic risk (beta-value), return, and risk-adjusted return (Treynors ratio) throughout a period of time have been conducted in order to later be tested and lead to statistically significant results and thereby display whether the hypotheses were valid or not. The result of the study indicated that the systematic risk of these shares have declined from (2007) to (2013), which is a confirmation that the Basel regime has fulfilled its purpose in reducing the risk within the banks. However, the study has not been able to show that the return or risk-adjusted return had been condensed, a result which suggests that it is not the banks’ shareholders who carries the costs for alterations of the regulations within financial markets. / Till följd av en turbulent finansiell marknad med återkommande finanskriser utvecklades Baselregimen, en institutionell förändring med syftet att skapa ökad finansiell stabilitet genom bland annat ökade kapitalkrav och skärpta tillsynskrav av interna processer. Baselregimen är ofta förekommande i samhälleliga debatter där olika aspekter diskuteras, så som huruvida den lyckas uppfylla sitt syfte om att skapa ökad finansiell stabilitet eller om huruvida den är kostsam och vem som i så fall drabbas av eventuella kostnader. Majoriteten av tidigare forskning är överens om att regelförändringar inom finansiella marknader, så som Baselregimen, lett till minskad konkursrisk i banker vilket bidragit till ökad global finansiell stabilitet. Dock påvisar forskningen att denna typ av regeländringar är kostsamma, vilket leder till motsägelser kring hur kostnadsfördelningen mellan kunder och aktieägare ser ut. Valet föll i denna uppsats på att studera aktieägarnas perspektiv, vilket studiens tre hypoteser skapats utifrån. Datan har i denna studie utgjorts av aktiekurser från tre av de tillgängliga största bankernas aktier (baserat på totala tillgångar), i de 26 länder som finns representerade i Baselkommittén från år (2007) till år (2013). Beräkningar av bankaktiernas systematiska risk (betavärde), avkastning och riskjusterade avkastning (Treynors kvot) över tiden har genomförts för att sedan testats och leda fram till statistiskt signifikant påvisbara resultat och därmed huruvida hypoteserna förkastas eller inte. Studiens resultat påvisar att den systematiska risken i bankaktierna har sjunkit från år (2007) till år (2013), vilket är en bekräftelse på att Baselregimen uppnått sitt syfte om att sänka risken i bankerna. Dock har inte studiens resultat kunnat påvisa att bankaktiernas avkastning eller riskjusterade avkastning sjunkit, ett resultat som tyder på att det inte är bankernas aktieägare som får bära kostnaden för regelförändringar inom finansiella marknader.

Sukuk are an important mode of financing in the Islamic financial system. As usury (interest) is prohibited in Islam, conventional bonds are not suitable for investors in Islamic countries. Since their launch in the 1980s, Sukuk have gained recognition and popularity as a substitute for conventional bonds. However, their unique features mean that Sukuk are not always clearly understood. The aim of this study is to analyse the differences and similarities between Sukuk and conventional bonds in terms of their risk and return characteristics.

The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the adoption of a simple trend-following quantitative method improves the risk-adjusted returns across various asset classes within a South African market setting. A simple moving average timing model is tested since 1925 on the South African equity and bond markets and within a tactical asset allocation framework. The timing solution when applied to the JSE All Share Index, RSA Government Bond Index and within an equally weighted portfolio improved returns, while reducing risk. Testing the model within sample by decade highlighted periods of inferior return performance providing evidence to support prior research (Faber, 2007) that the timing model acts as a risk reduction technique with limited to no impact on return. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

På senare år har intresset för hållbarhet ökat i samhället. Allt fler vill bidra till samhället på ett positivt sätt genom att exempelvis källsortera, åka mindre bil eller minska på köttkonsumtionen. I och med det ökade intresset för hållbarhet, har även intresset för hållbara investeringsalternativ ökat. Studiens syfte är att undersöka sambandet mellan graden av hållbarhet och prestation hos fonder på den svenska fondmarknaden. Detta är en kvantitativ studie där totalt 32 svenskregistrerade fonder undersöks. Fonderna valdes ut från Morningstars onlineregister och jämfördes utifrån de fem hållbarhetsbetygen, där betyg 1 anses vara minst hållbart och betyg 5 är mest hållbart. Perioden som analyserades var 2015-01-01 till 2019-12-31. För att få fram ett resultat som kan besvara studiens frågeställningar användes faktisk avkastning, CAPM, Sharpekvot, Jensens alfa och Treynorkvot. Studien visar inte på några signifikanta resultat i att fonder presterar sämre desto hållbarare de är. Detta leder till slutsatsen att det inte går att bevisa att hållbara fonder presterar bättre eller sämre än konventionella fonder. / In later years, the interest for sustainability has increased in society. More and more people want to contribute to society in a positive way by for example, sorting at source, driving less with cars or reducing meat consumption. With the increased interest in sustainability, the interest in sustainable investment alternatives has also increased. The purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between the degree of sustainability and performance of funds in the Swedish fund market. This is a quantitative study in which a total of 32 Swedish-registrered funds are examined. The funds were selected from Morningstar’s online register and compared on the basis of the five sustainability ratings, where grade 1 is considered as the least sustainable and grade 5 is the most sustainable. The period that was analyzed was 2015-01-01 to 2019-12-31. In order to get a result that can answer the questions of this study, actual return, CAPM, Sharpe ratio, Jensen’s alpha and Treynor ratio are used. The study does not show any significant results regarding the degree of sustainability and the performance. The conclusion regarding whether sustainable funds perform better or worse than conventional funds cannot be established.