Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Managed funds'

This thesis, structured around four interrelated empirical studies, investigates three key aspects that relate to the practice of fund management and analysis: (1) fund returns, (2) fund flows, and (3) asset allocations. In fact, managed fund investors make investment decisions primarily on the assumption that managed fund performance persists over time, despite the lack of evidence for such performance persistence. Therefore, it is compelling to empirically investigate factors that are of vital importance to investors if these factors can improve investors’ ability to select winning funds, which will ultimately improve their investment performance. The first empirical study investigates the relationship between the performance of Australian managed funds and the variables that capture the state of the economy. Apparently, Australian investors make investment decisions based primarily on past performance, disregarding other factors. This study, motivated by this issue, investigates factors that capture the state of the economy, both domestic and international, with the aim of establishing whether those economic factors have a possible impact on Australian managed fund returns. This study contributes to the existing body of literature by utilising domestic and international macroeconomic variables to explain Australian managed fund returns. Moreover, the relationship uncovered between fund returns and macroeconomic variables challenges the past performance issue attributed to Australian investors. Finally, the findings of this study will motivate practitioners to extend their practice beyond using past performance to encompass other potential factors. This study uses principal component and regression analyses to discover that fund returns can be significantly explained by principal components that reflect both international and domestic variables, especially at the next two quarters. The relationships between fund returns and macroeconomic variables are predominantly negative. Further, the pooled regression results show that, at a more general level, the explanatory power of macroeconomic variables is relatively weak regarding both fixed interest and international shares funds, but is strong on multiple assets, property, and Australian shares funds. Building on the first empirical study, the second is an investigation of whether economic variables have the potential to predict Australian managed fund returns. Using economic variables to predict fund returns is a relatively new area of research; no published study was found that investigates this issue in Australia. Therefore, this study helps to fill this gap by investigating macroeconomic variables from Australia and overseas markets, as well as establishing whether those variables have the potential to predict Australian managed fund returns. This study contributes to the growing literature investigating the relationship between macroeconomic variables and managed fund returns by shedding new light on the predictive power of macroeconomic variables on managed fund returns. Furthermore, the findings of this study have the potential to add value from the practitioner’s perspective. Since investors always have to reallocate investments between funds, they need to know which economic factors may affect their fund returns. Moreover, the findings may refine investor’ ability to improve managed fund returns by monitoring the changes in economic conditions. The timeseries regression results suggest that coal price, GDP, and the treasury bill rate have predictive power over fund returns. The third empirical study investigates the relationships between the managed fund flows from different investor groups, the stock market returns and the factors that capture the state of the economy in Australia. The dynamic interactions between fund flows and stock market returns have been well examined. More recently, studies investigating fund flows and market returns from a different dimension have tried to establish the relationship between fund flows, stock market returns, and the real economy. As there is no study addressing this issue in Australia, this study investigates this one in the Australian context. This study contributes to several strands of literature. Firstly, it is the first to expand the stream of research investigating fund flows and stock market returns by providing Australian evidence. Secondly, it sheds new light on the ongoing debate regarding the relationship between fund flows and stock market returns by linking the results back to the broad literature of the feedback-trader hypothesis. Thirdly, it provides a valuable extension to an understanding of the relationship between fund flows and stock market returns in Australia. The mechanism between fund flows and the real economy may affect investors’ returns if they collectively rebalance their portfolios in response to the changes of these variables. This mechanism may also improve the efficiency of fund management by understanding and predicting investors’ allocation decisions. This study will also help fund managers to reach optimal investment decisions by incorporating fund flows as a factor. The findings suggest that fund flows from different investor groups are related to the state of the economy which is proxied by financial and macroeconomic variables. This study supports the theory that the co-movement of fund flows and stock market returns is explained by macroeconomic news. The state of the economy does not help to predict fund flows; however, fund flows help to predict the state of the economy. This study also supports the theory that fund flows are forward-looking and can predict the economy. Moreover, different investor groups, which are proxied by different fund categories, exhibit heterogeneous investment patterns. The findings are more pronounced for equity and allocation funds because both of these come with higher risk features, compared with fixed income and money market funds. The fourth empirical study investigates whether the leveraged life cycle strategy is able to produce better retirement wealth outcomes than either the balanced, conventional life cycle, or the dynamic life cycle strategies. Using the factor of leverage in the design of the defined contribution plan’s investment strategy is relatively new; no prior study investigating the comparative performance of leveraged life cycle strategy and other strategies has been found. Studying issues such as these provides a valuable contribution to the body of pension finance literature by embarking on a robust analysis of four factors: balanced strategy, conventional life cycle strategies, dynamic life cycle strategies and leveraged life cycle strategies. This study may be regarded as unique: it is the first to synthesise the leveraged life cycle strategy with other investment strategies currently offered by defined contribution plan providers, as well as by those suggested in the literature. The outcomes of this study may also enhance investors’ ability to improve fund returns by choosing different investment strategies.
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Dept Account,Finance & Econ
Griffith Business School
Full Text

Includes bibliographical references
In this dissertation, a methodology is developed for constructing a volatility surface for a managed fund by extending the work of Bakshi et al. (2003) and Taylor (2014). The power utility assumption (with constant relative risk aversion for a specific maturity) and historical returns series data are used for the identified factors in influencing the return of the fund and the fund itself. The coefficient of relative risk aversion for a specific maturity and market is estimated from quoted option prices on a market index. This is used in combination with the identified factors and fund return series to estimate the risk-neutral skewness of the fund. An optimisation procedure is then used to determine the volatility smile of the fund for a specific maturity. Thereafter, the volatility surface of the fund is constructed by repeating each step for different maturities. Although this methodology produces sensible results, the optimisation routine used is sensitive to initial values and constraints.

In theory, as a greater share of capital is invested passively rather than actively managed, stock prices will be freer to diverge from fair value, resulting in marginally less efficient equity markets. The effect should be an amplification of managerial skill, which manifests itself in the tails of α distributions. I find evidence that mutual fund α distributions differ increasingly as a function of the share of assets invested in passive vehicles. However, I find no evidence that the “tailedness” of the distributions increases as a function of the share of assets invested passively. This may be a result of the limited sample size, or it may be that higher levels of passive share are required for this effect to materialize.

Most scholars have concluded that actively managed equity mutual funds as a whole underperform their passively managed counterparts, linked to some benchmarks. In other words, active equity fund managers on average do not have enough significant stock-picking abilities to add value for investors. However, earlier investigations may be flawed through failure to give adequate consideration to liquidity. Hence, this research pays much attention to liquidity effects on mutual fund performance and argues that it is a preference for holding highly liquid stocks which results in the perceived underperformance. First, we find no significant liquidity premium at fund level, no matter the holding period returns or risk-adjusted performance. This indicates that all or almost all active equity fund managers in effect pay considerable attention to liquidity. We also examine the effects of liquidity on fund performance among actively managed equity funds. In contrast with earlier research, we find that actively managed equity funds in the aggregate perform close to the passive strategy. That means, on average, active equity fund managers do at least have talent sufficient to generate returns to cover costs that their funds impose on investors. This we attribute to the liquidity requirement of mutual funds. Moreover, using bootstrap simulation, we discover that many more mutual funds can be classified as skilled funds rather than lucky funds, once a liquidity factor has been included. Thus, our research provides a new insight into mutual fund performance, and highlights liquidity as an important and non-negligible determinant in the evaluation of mutual fund performance.

When making conclusions about the performance of managed funds, it is critical that the framework in which such performance is measured provides an accurate and unbiased environment. In this thesis I search for true performance of the two major classes of funds- equity as well as fixed interest managed funds. Focusing, first on the former class, I examine five measurement models across three risk-free proxies, nine benchmarks proposed by the extant literature (covering conditional and unconditional as well as single and multi factor definitions) and over three independent periods in an effort to identity (in a consistent setting) the most accurate and least biast methodology. I also use the Australian dataset, which inherently mitigates any data biases that may potentially afflict US studies of these methodologies, since these were developed from the same dataset on which they were later tested. Not finding a pre-existing benchmark that is objective yet informative, I develop an independent model that satisfies these, sourcing from fifteen factor candidates across four categories. I find that teaming up a fund based market factor with well-defined proxies for size, value, momentum and conditional dividend yield provides the optimal benchmark. The latter class comprising fixed-interest managed funds is a segment left largely unexplored in the financial literature and neglected outright in the Australian context. I examine three risk-free proxies, six benchmark classes encompassing twenty-one potential factors, across five models and two independent time frames in an effort to establish the most informative and least biased setting. The task is complicated by two issues - an acute lack of Australian data (demanding additional bootstrap simulations and bridging tests with the US markets) and the need for a two-pass (time-series and cross-sectional) analysis, arising from the different information content benchmarks carry in these two dimensions. My results, consistent across time, show that a correct combination of a bond market variable, a mixture of interest rate factors and economic factors as well as the proxy for movements in the equity markets yield the optimal benchmark. Both fund classes point to Jensen's Alpha as the preferred model, but Treynor and Mazuy's definition of a quadratic measure is adequate if timing-selectivity separation is required. Neither class is significantly sensitive to the choice of risk free proxy featuring in the performance measures.

This thesis aims to investigate fund managers salaries in relation to their contributions. The study is conducted on the Swedish fund market under a period over five years, 2014-2018, and include 332 funds. The result observed shows a positive relation between salaries and risk-adjusted performance. The result proves that fund managers are able to outperform the market on average, which should not be possible to do systematically over time according to the efficient market hypothesis. It also turns out that salary has a positive relationship with assets under management. This indicates that fund managers are employed and compensated for more reasons than to generate a high return, namely to contribute to more significant inflows of cash to the fund company. Interpretations of fund managers’ salaries are primarily linked to agency theory and economics of superstars. The agency problem alter in the fund industry since the setting is two-folded. Agency problem could be mitigated by implementing a performance-based compensation structure, to aligning investors, management and fund managers’ ambitions. The result shows signs that a performance-based salary is present in the fund industry. A fund managers’ salary assumes to be based on his/her skillfulness, but could also be due to an individual’s stardom. To conclude, the thesis state that fund managers’ deserve their salary, which in relative terms are fairly high, since they procure additional benefits to the fund company.

Managed funds have become a popular investment tool and possess a lot of advantages. However, in spite of their popularity, most past research findings on the evaluation of performance have suggested that managed funds were unable to do significantly better than a large unmanaged portfolio. The aim of this thesis is to evaluate empirically the performance of managed funds. The funds chosen are; UK equity, ethical unit trusts and US-based Dow Jones Islamic index -an index of Islamic ethical funds portfolio. We examine the performance of UK equity unit trusts which invest in UK equities, using monthly samples over the 1986 to 2001 time period. The study compares the return of these unit trusts with a three-factor model which takes into account their exposure to market, value and size risk. After controlling the risk factors, it is found that manager’s under-perfom the market. Contrary to the notion that small company shares offer abundant "beat the market" opportunities, we find that small company trusts are the worst performers. The performance persistence of unit trusts is also examined and it is found that good performance does not persist. There are investors who out of their concern regarding adverse changes in our environment, concerns for justice, and because of their opposition to the arms race, decline to purchase the securities of such enterprises that engage in what are termed unethical or socially irresponsible activities. Such activities usually include, but are not necessarily limited to, the production of armaments, alcohol and tobacco; engaging in activities that degrade the environment; and engaging in activities that treat people unfairly. Declining to invest in the securities of enterprises that engage in unethical practices is not only a form of social protest, but can also have the effect of diminishing the demand for a company's securities. A diminishment of demand may then have an adverse financial impact on a company. This may prove to be a crucial factor in influencing companies to change and become more socially responsible. The question therefore arises: has the investment performance o f ethical investors suffered in comparison to those who are not so responsible? To answer the above, a study has been done which encompasses 35 U K ethical unit trusts which cover the period of seven years tough 1996. The study presents a comprehensive evaluation o f managed funds performance by employing various single to multifactor benchmark models.The added value of introducing extra variables such as size, book to market, momentum and a bond index is explored by evaluating the performance using conditional information and comparing the investment performance of U K ethical unit trusts with unit trusts which are not ethical. After controlling for style tilts and allowing for time variation in betas and expected return, the results show that there is no significant difference in performance between U K ethical unit trust and their conventional peers. Within an unconditional setting SMB, HML and momentum factors are best able to explain ethical unit trust returns. Therefore, unconditional models perform much better than their conditional peers. Islamic ethical investors apply both Islamic ethical and financial criteria when evaluating investments in order to ensure that the securities selected are consistent with their value system and beliefs. Using monthly returns for the period starting from January 1996 to December 2003， the study is conducted to see the potential impact that Islamic ethical restrictions may have on investment performance by comparing the performance characteristics o f a diversified portfolio of Islamic screened stocks (Dow Jones Islamic index) w i t h conventional benchmark portfolio ( Dow Jones Index- Americas). Contrary to expectations, our findings indicate that application of Islamic ethical screens do not necessarily have an adverse impact on investment performance. Results actually show that expected returns of Islamic screened portfolios are higher than the expected returns o f conventional portfolios.

Following the development and popularity of mutual funds among Swedish investors, the question of active fund management and return has become a central issue for private investors. 99 percent of the Swedish population invests in mutual funds, comprising a total net fund value of almost 2,000 billion SEK. The idea behind active management is for a charged fee, to generate a return higher than the return of the market. But statistics indicate a low level of competition between the largest providers and only one out of ten funds performs better than its index. Financial instability due to the last decade’s two recessions has indeed caused fluctuating performance of actively managed Swedish mutual funds. It has also spurred academics to investigate the role and effect of active management and attached management fees. The main purpose of this research is to investigate if there exist differences between the performance of benchmark indices and the performance of actively managed equity funds, balanced funds and money market funds provided by seven Swedish banks; Folksam, Länsförsäkringar, Handelsbanken, Nordea, SEB, Skandia and Swedbank. We also seek to investigate if the level of fee and total risk affect the fund performance. The research was deductively conducted with a quantitative method of inquiry. The ontological and epistemological positions are objectivism and positivism. Our sample of 21 Swedish mutual funds, with daily price observations was investigated between 2004 and 2011, with a division of four subperiods. To answer our research question and sub-questions, ten fictive portfolios were created and five hypotheses were formulated based on previous research and theories within the field. The data was analyzed with paired samples T-tests and multiple linear regression analyses. The portfolios included three risk-adjusted fund performance measures and Value at Risk.     We have concluded that on average both balanced funds and money market funds have performed worse than their benchmark indices in the period 2004 to 2011. The equity funds have also performed worse than their benchmark index but the difference is not statistically significant. The balanced funds had the highest return, the money market funds second highest return and equity funds the lowest return. Supported by the multiple regression analyses, we have concluded that fund performance is negatively related to the level of total risk in the period 2004 to 2011. There is no statistical relationship between fund performance and fund provider. We finally conclude that fund return during the entire investigation period, is negatively related to management fees.

CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO
Esta dissertação tem como objetivo comparar os índices de desempenho de média-variância com os critérios de dominância estocástica de primeira, segunda e terceira ordens para fundos de gerenciamento ativo presentes no mercado brasileiro. Foram analisados 84 fundos de ações entre maio de 1999 e abril de 2001. Para o cálculo da dominância estocástica foi criada uma função em Matlab que, a partir dos retornos dos fundos, compara-os entre si e retorna quais os fundos mais dominantes em relação aos outros. O que se concluiu é que os indivíduos que selecionam seus investimentos com base somente nos índices de média-variância podem tomar decisões que contrariam seus critérios de aversão ao risco e de aversão crescente ao risco. Igualmente, o desempenho de fundos de investimento medido apenas através dos critérios de dominância estocástica não significará necessariamente um maior excesso de retorno com relação ao risco corrido. Para se tomar uma decisão de investimento bem estruturada, o investidor deve considerar todos os momentos da distribuição dos retornos e realizar uma análise tanto por média-variância quanto por dominância estocástica.
The scope of this dissertation is the comparison between the meanvariance based performance measurers of active management Brazilian-based stock funds and stochastic dominance of first, second and third orders criteria. 84 funds were considered and the period studied goes from May 1999 to April 2001. For the stochastic dominance calculus a Matlab function was created so that, with the funds returns as inputs, it gives the most dominating funds in relation to the others. The conclusion of this study is that individuals that chose investments taking account solely mean-variance measurers can make decisions that goes against their criteria of risk aversion and absolute decreasing risk aversion. In the same way, investments funds performance measured only by stochastic dominance criteria will not lead necessarily to a highest reward-to- risk ratio. Regarding a well structured investment decision, investors should consider all moments of the distribution of returns and perform not only a mean- variance but also a stochastic dominance analysis.

This study examines the performance of recently introduced passively-managed exchange-traded hedged funds (HETFs). Using data that cover the period 2008 to 2017 of all available HETFs under global macro and long-short classifications with sufficient number of observations, the study provides the most complete and update measure and documentation of the performance of these two fund categories. Little research has been done on HETFs' performance in despite of the rapid growth and expected future expansion of their market sizes, since the introduction of HETFs expands for ordinary investors investment opportunity set that were only available to high net wealth individuals and institutions. Using a simple 3-three factor model including equity, bond and volatility factors, it shows long-short HETFs cannot closely follow the returns of their corresponding indexes as global macro HETFs. By using Fung and Hsieh's (2004) 7-factor model, and Edelman, Fung and Hsieh's (2012) revised 8-factor model, significant negative alphas are found for strategy portfolios. The relatively poor performance of the HETFs can be attributed to their high expense ratio and their failure to closely track the benchmark index.

Over the past years, the total assets under management among hedge funds and equity mutual fundshave increased significantly. The question from an investor point of view iswhich investment vehicle can provide the greatest return adjusted for risk. The purpose of this study involves an analysis on the historical net asset values todetermine and evaluate what one can except from actively managed hedge andequity mutual funds. It supports the determination of the most profitable asset, adjusted for risk, as part of a diversified portfolio. The performance is measured net of fees and costs with the inclusion of potential performance fees individual hedge funds may apply. Hedge funds practice different investment approaches depending on what strategy is applied and hence, return levels can vary dramatically. The study is designed to answer questions by comparing net returns and risk-adjusted returns for respective investments and the different hedge fund strategies. With a deductive research approach, the analysis is conducted by applying existing models and theories as the Fama-French three-factor model through time-series regressions measuring excess returns (alpha), risk-adjusted performance measures as Sharpe ratio, M-squared and the Sortino ratio. The results show that hedge funds outperform equity mutual funds in all examined aspects and produce positive monthly net alphas,on average. Equity mutual funds are unable to provide investors with positive excess returns and subsequently fail the purpose of an actively managed fund by providing returns lower than the return of the market. The results are increasingly strengthened with both time-series regressions and performance measures showing homogenous results and reaching the equal conclusions. From the conclusions that hedge funds provide the most profitable investment compared to equity mutual funds, the hedge fund strategy CTA/managed futures strategies perform best in both net and risk-adjusted terms.

During the last decade, investments into the Swedish mutual fund market have increased substantially. The increased popularity of actively managed Swedish equity funds among households and investment companies, correspondingly, funds need to deliver substantial results, raised the importance to evaluate these funds’ performance. This thesis adds to the scarce empirical literature on Swedish equity mutual fund performance. Employing the Fama-French three factor model, it analyzes whether actively managed Swedish equity mu- tual funds outperform the Fama-French benchmarks net- and gross of management fees. The study uses time-series data and constructs equally-weighted portfolios of the 42 Swe- dish based actively managed equity mutual funds investing in Sweden for the period 2003- 2013. The portfolios’ excess returns are calculated by estimating the Fama-French three factor model by means of ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis. The empirical results show that actively managed equity mutual funds over performed the Fama-French three factor benchmarks by an average annualized net- and gross excess return of 3.60 and 4.67 percent respectively. Sorting out the funds by the performance into deciles, the find- ings indicate that management fees influence the performance of the equity mutual funds in the sample of our study. The conclusion is made such that there is an indication that Swedish equity funds’ managers are able to add value above passive investing.

We calculate the alpha of a survivorship bias-free sample of Swedish-registered actively managed emerging market equity mutual funds (with at least 10 years of return data), using long-short and long-only versions of several asset pricing models: the CAPM, the Fama-French three-factor model, the Carhart four-factor model, the Fama-French five-factor model and a six-factor model that adds the momentum factor to a modified Fama-French five-factor model. We find that our sample of mutual funds has statistically significant negative alpha (on a 5% level) using the CAPM, the Fama-French three-factor model and the long-only Fama-French three-factor model and non-statistically significant negative alpha for all other asset pricing models. It is reasonable to assume that our sample overestimates the performance of the universe of Swedish-registered actively managed emerging market equity mutual funds, so it is reasonable to assume that the universe of Swedish-registered actively managed emerging market equity mutual funds likely has negative alpha. We also find that our sample of mutual funds has statistically significant factor loadings on the market factor (positive load), the SMB factor (negative load) and the CMA factor (negative load). Our asset pricing models explain 97% to 98% of the mutual fund returns. The distributions of alphas and SMB factor loadings are fairly normally distributed, but the other factor loadings are not normally distributed.

The investment management industry has proven to be a fertile ground for theoretical and empirical research over the past forty years, particularly in relation to the nature and quantification of risk. However, the dominance of the U.S. industry has meant that much of the academic research has focused on the U.S. market. This thesis investigates aspects of investment risk using alternative data to that used in much of the prior published research. This thesis contains an extensive analysis of aspects of risk related to both the demand side and the supply side of the managed funds market in Australia. Among the demand side characteristics, attitudes towards risk and their impact on asset allocation decisions will be an important determinant of investors' financial well-being, particularly in retirement. Accordingly, the first part of the thesis examines the financial risk tolerance of investors, exploring the relationship between subjective financial risk tolerance and a range of demographic characteristics that are widely used as a basis for heuristically derived estimates of investors' attitudes towards financial risk. The second part of the thesis contains an analysis of the supply side of the industry, focusing on risk-shifting behavior by investment fund managers. Since the time when performance and risk-shifting behavior of fund managers was first put under the spotlight 40 years ago, it is possible to identify an evolving strand in the research where performance assessment is examined within the framework of the principal-agent literature. One focus that has emerged in this literature is the adaption of the tournament model to the analysis of investment manager behavior, wherein it is hypothesized that fund managers who were interim losers were likely to increase fund volatility in the latter part of the assessment period to a greater extent than interim winners. Against this background, the second part of the thesis examines risk-shifting behavior by Australian fund managers. Both the ability of fund managers to time the market and the applicability of the tournament model of funds management to a segment of the Australian

Actively-managed funds have recently come under fire as it has been determined that they consistently underperform passive funds. Benchmarking, and the constraints placed on actively-managed funds, are standard practices within the industry, but research suggests that these constraints negatively affect fund performance. This research paper explores the effectiveness of actively-managed funds in relation to their benchmark indices, in terms of tracking errors and weighting constraints. This is done by qualifying the effect of these constraints on the performance of hypothetically constructed portfolios in relation to the FTSE / JSE Top 40 Index. The results are presented graphically and show that tracking error limits did, as expected, limit the possible upside returns of these funds. It was found however, that the tracking error constraints had a much greater effect on limiting downside risk than they had on limiting upside effects. Weighting limitations did not have a single universal effect on the simulated portfolios’ performance but affect performance in conjunction with tracking error limits. It was concluded that for the hypothetically constructed portfolios for the period studied, constraints did not affect the possible upside return to such a magnitude that the constraints themselves could account for the underperformance of actively managed funds and they had an overall positive effect on performance.
Mini Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2018.
Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)
MBA
Unrestricted

This research discusses the use of Delta in regulating the investment behaviour of the Trustees of Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs) who use Exchange Traded Options (ETOs) in their investment strategies. An ETO represents a contract between two parties, giving the taker (the buyer) the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a parcel of shares at a predetermined price, on or before a predetermined date, to or from the writer (the seller). It is acceptable for SMSF Trustees to use ETO investments as part of their overall investment strategy, providing that leverage or mere speculation are not the reasons behind that investment. It is important to note that neither the Regulator, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), nor its predecessor, the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA), actually state what constitutes 'speculation', or what the allowable uses for derivatives are. There are no practical guidelines. This is a key issue for this research, which aims, as practically as possible, to fill these crucial gaps. A Trustee must abide by their superannuation fund's overriding covenants and investment strategy, and inform its members, through Risk Management Statements, of the trust's derivative strategy. While ETOs can be used to manage risk, they also carry a level of risk themselves. Delta measures an ETO's value movement in correlation with a movement in the option's underlying share price. An ETO carrying a low Delta generally means a cheaper price (premium) per contract than an option carrying a higher Delta. The lower the Delta, however, the lower the chance there is of a positive result for the buyer. This research shows that an ETO Delta of less than 0.2 gives results in favour of buyers in only 11 out of 100 occurrences. This figure rises to 42 out of 100 when Delta is greater than 0.8. From the sampled data, there is an overall financial loss to the buyer of -1.91%, with the financial return results being mixed at all levels of Delta. The overall return results have been compiled without preference to market direction, and clearly highlight the natural premium bias (which the buyer pays) to the seller. What this data does is reenforce the need for Trustees to have a solid view of market directions, or a set strategy in place, as buyers of ETOs. The conclusions drawn from the findings show that the chance of loss (when buying), or gain (when selling) ETOs with a Delta of; - less than 0.20 is 89%; - less than 0.40 is 74%; - less than 0.60 is 66%; - less than 0.80 is 57%; - greater than 0.80 is 58%; For example, a Trustee buying an ETO with a Delta of less than 0.20, faces an 89% chance of loss; a Trustee selling an ETO with a Delta of less than 0.20, faces an 89% chance of gain. The findings on overall financial returns (profit or loss) offer additional support to this critical review of Delta as a risk measurement tool. Whist it is impossible to know the motives or actual positions of portfolio managers of SMSF at any time, the aim of the thesis is to provide a measurement tool that can be used to assist the trustee at any given time by measuring the option risk element alone. When interpreting the findings, the reader must remember that ETO strategies are numerous, and a high-risk profile for one strategy may represent a low risk for another. Further to this, an ETO strategy's risk profile may change with the overlaying of another ETO. For example, where a Call option is bought, the risk involved in that purchase is represented by the premium paid. However, another Call option can then be sold against that position, with a later (or earlier) date to expiry, and with a higher strike price. This 'overlay' reduces the initial risk, but impacts on the maximum gain. It is vital that Trustees have a solid understanding of the basics of ETO strategies before considering using Delta as a measure of risk. The research proposes some guidelines Trustees can use when assessing an ETO strategy against their derivative/investment risk profile. For example, a Trustee buying an ETO with a Delta of less than 0.20, faces an 89% chance of loss; a Trustee selling an ETO with a Delta of less than 0.20, faces an 89% chance of gain. The findings on overall financial returns (profit or loss) offer additional support to this critical review of Delta as a risk measurement tool. Whist it is impossible to know the motives or actual positions of portfolio managers of SMSF at any time, the aim of the thesis is to provide a measurement tool that can be used to assist the trustee at any given time by measuring the option risk element alone. When interpreting the findings, the reader must remember that ETO strategies are numerous, and a high-risk profile for one strategy may represent a low risk for another. Further to this, an ETO strategy's risk profile may change with the overlaying of another ETO. For example, where a Call option is bought, the risk involved in that purchase is represented by the premium paid. However, another Call option can then be sold against that position, with a later (or earlier) date to expiry, and with a higher strike price. This 'overlay' reduces the initial risk, but impacts on the maximum gain. It is vital that Trustees have a solid understanding of the basics of ETO strategies before considering using Delta as a measure of risk. The research proposes some guidelines Trustees can use when assessing an ETO strategy against their derivative/investment risk profile. (table inserted) The findings from 2400 data samples show strong trends in support of the underlying premise (see Figure: Positive Results Versus Delta (ETO Buyers) below). Given these findings, the research concludes that Delta can be used as a measure of risk by SMSF Trustees. Delta may not be suitable, however, for measuring multiple layers of combined ETO positions, a type of derivative strategy not suited to or usual in the context of measuring risk within a SMSF. (table inserted) There is a major difference between simple and simplistic solutions offering practical answers in an environment of increasing complexity. Often, simple solutions offer far more value to the less experienced, when compared to complex ones, especially given the growing number of SMSFs, and the increasing lack of expertise in the areas of superannuation and risk management that this growth implies.

Thesis (DBA) - Swinburne University of Technology, 2006.
Submitted to the partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Business Administration, Australasian Graduate School of Management, Swinburne University of Technology, 2006. Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (p. 89-92).

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Initially, we test the hypothesis that actively managed funds presents alphas (excess return) when compared to the Brazilian equity indexes used by passive funds. Then bootstrap simulations check if theses alphas can be attributed just to luck. Using this methodology we find that the aggregate portfolio of actively managed Brazilian equity funds has not presented excess of return from the two most important equity indexes in Brazil (true alpha), returns considered after cost and expenses. Bootstrap simulations suggests that a greater number of funds produces better returns adjusted to benchmark than we would expect just because of randomness in the returns.
Neste trabalho testa-se inicialmente se fundos com gestão ativa apresentam alfa (excesso de retorno) em relação aos índices de referência de fundos passivos. Simulações via bootstrap visam indicar se o excesso de retorno apresentado pode ser atribuído apenas à sorte. Com esta metodologia concluiu-se que a carteira agregada de fundos de investimentos de ação com gestão ativa no Brasil não apresenta excesso de retorno em relação aos principais índices da bolsa brasileira, quando líquidos de taxas e despesas. As simulações de bootstrap sugerem que uma quantidade maior de fundos apresenta retornos ajustados ao benchmark do que o esperado pelo efeito da aleatoriedade nos resultados.

Många svenska hushåll fondsparar och 2018 uppgick fondsparandet i genomsnitt till 434 000 kronor per person. Nobelpristagaren Fama (1970) påvisade att det inte är möjligt att generera en högre riskjusterad avkastning än marknadens. Samtidigt finns det fortfarande mängder av aktivt förvaltade fonder som utlovar högre avkastning än marknaden. Därmed är det alltjämt otydligt för småsparare om passivt eller aktivt förvaltade fonder genererar störst avkastning. Till skillnad från liknande tidigare studier, har denna studie ett större urval av fonder. Syftet är att undersöka vilket fondalternativ som mest gynnar investerares avkastning på den svenska marknaden. Syftet uppfylls genom att prestationsmåtten Sharpekvot och Jensens Alfa, för utvärdering av fondernas avkastning, undersöks. Resultaten visade att det inte är möjligt att generera en högre riskjusterad avkastning över den valda tidsperioden. Generellt hade indexfonderna bland de högre riskjusterade avkastningarna, jämfört med de aktivt förvaltade fonderna. Vilket även tyder på att en högre fondavgift är omotiverad.
Many Swedish households are investors, in 2018 investments in funds reached an average of 434 000 Swedish Crowns per person. The Nobel laureate Fama showed that yielding a higher risk-adjusted return than the market is not possible. Simultaneously, a great amount of actively conducted funds that pledges a higher return than the market is still launched today. Which arises a disorientation among small savers if passive or active conducted funds generate higher returns. Unlike previous studies, the range of funds were increased in this study. The purpose is to examine the returns of the funds with the performance measures Sharpe-ratio and Jensen’s Alpha. The results indicate that it is not possible to outperform a higher risk-adjusted yield than the market for the chosen time period. Overall, the passive funds had higher risk-adjusted returns compared to the active funds, which indicates that a higher fee for the funds is unjustified.

Valet mellan aktiv respektive passiv fondförvaltning har sedan länge varit en omdiskuterad fråga inom privata fondsparandet. På senare tid har frågan kommit att återaktualiserat efter att de aktivt förvaltade storfonderna Allemansfond komplett och Kapitalinvest anklagats för vilseledande marknadsföring, då de inte har generat en högre avkastning än den generella marknaden. Inom den akademiska världen har erkända forskare och sedermera pristagare av Sveriges Riksbanks pris i ekonomisk vetenskap till Alfred Nobels minne, påvisat att aktivt förvaltade fonder inte kan generera en högre avkastning med hänsyn till förvaltningsavgifterna. Utifrån förvaltningsavgifterna påvisade betydelse har vi valt att studera effekten av de rabatterade förvaltningsavgifterna, inom Premiepensionssystemet. Studiens syfte är således att under tidsperioden, 1 januari 2004 till 31 december 2013, analysera om aktiv förvaltade fonder har genererat en högre riskjusterad avkastning än passivt förvaltade fonder, då hänsyn tagits till de rabatterade förvaltningsavgifterna. Studien baserades på dagliga marknadsnoteringar av 174 aktivt förvaltade premiepensionsfonder och årliga förvaltningsavgifter.  Vidare använde vi oss av ett globalt aktiemarknadsindex, MSCI World, som utifrån definitionen av passivt förvaltade fonder var synonymt med studiens jämförelseindex. I enlighet med studiens syfte använde vi oss av det riskjusterade avkastningsmåttet Sharpekvot för att kunna besvara studiens frågeställning.  Resultatet av studien påvisade att aktivt förvaltade fonder har genererat en högre avkastning än passivt förvaltade fonder då hänsyn tagits till förvaltningsavgifter. Då även fondernas risktagande togs i anspråk blev resultatet det motsatta och vi kan därigenom konstatera att aktivt förvaltade fonder har generat en lägre riskjusterad avkastning är passivt förvaltade fonder. Vidare har vi även kunnat konstatera att aktivt förvaltade fonder med låga förvaltningsavgifter har generat en högre såväl avkastning som riskjusterad avkastning än aktivt förvaltade fonder med höga förvaltningsavgifter.
The choice between active and passive fund management has long been a contentious issue within the private mutual fund investments. Lately, the issue has been widely discussed since the actively managed funds Allemansfond komplett and Kapitalinvest was accused of misleading marketing, since their performance has not overachieved the return of the general market. In the academic world, recognized scholars and later Laureate of the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, has demonstrated that actively managed funds cannot generate a higher return with regard to management fees. Based on the importance of the management fees, we have chosen to study the effect of the discount management fees, within the Premiepensionssystemet. Therefore the study's objective is to analyse whether active managed funds have generated higher risk-adjusted returns than passively managed funds, reduced for the discounted management fees. The study will be limited to analyse the period between the 1st January 2004 to 31th December 20103 The study was based on daily market quotations of 174 actively managed Premiepensionsfonder and annual management fees. Furthermore, we used a global stock market index, MSCI World, by the definition of passively managed funds that was synonymous with the study's benchmark. In accordance with the study’s purpose, we used the risk-adjusted performance measure Sharpe ratio in order to answer the research question. The results of this study demonstrated that actively managed funds have generated higher returns than passively managed funds, reduced for the discounted management fees. When the funds' risk taking was committed, the result is the opposite, and we can thus conclude that actively managed funds have yield a lower risk-adjusted returns than passively managed funds. Furthermore, we also noted that actively managed funds with low management fees has generated higher returns as well as risk-adjusted returns than actively managed funds with high management fees.

The majority of the residents of Khutsong are employed at mines in the area south of Carletonville (stretching form East Driefontein in the east to Deelkraal in the west), as well as in Carletonville itself. The large majority of these people are dependant on public transport for commuting to work, for undertaking trips for shopping purposes and for going to school. The condition of the road network in Khutsong is of such a nature that large areas are totally inaccessible to public transport (especially in the rainy season) resulting in a situation where large numbers of people have to walk unacceptable long distances between their places of residence and public transport routes. A comprehensive programme have been embarked upon in consultation with the community to rectify this situation.

Die vorliegende Dissertation besteht aus drei Kapiteln über die Investmentfonds. Das erste Kapitel befasst sich mit der Rolle der Fondsmanager in der Bilanzverschönerung. Auf Basis der Analyse der Karrierewege von amerikanischen Fondsmanagern werden signifikante zusammenwirkende Manager-Fixed-Effects identifiziert, die nach der Kontrolle der endogenen Matching-Probleme immer noch robust sind. Die geschätzten Manager-Fixed-Effects haben signifikante Einflüsse auf die Out-of-Sample-Vorhersagen. Außerdem wird festgestellt, dass die Verriegelungen der Investmentfonds, die von gemeinsamen Managern verwaltet wurden, wichtige Kanäle für die Bilanzverschönerung verursachen. Das zweite Kapitel beschäftigt sich mit den Investmentstrategien der Fonds im Hinblick auf die Nutzung von Credit Default Swaps (CDS). Die Zuordnung der CDS-Positionen der Investmentfonds zu ihrem Bestandportfolio bietet eine neue Methodik zur Identifizierung der CDS-Strategien und kompensiert somit die Analysen der existierenden Literatur auf der Makroebene. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Anreize zur Risikoreduzierung die Spekulationsanreize dominieren, insbesondere, wenn die Kreditexposition durch ungedeckte Leerverkäufe der CDS-Verträge erhöht wird. Die erfahrenen Fondsmanager tendieren dazu, mehr Kreditrisiko in Kauf zu nehmen, während es für die Fondsmanagerinnen wahrscheinlicher als für ihre männlichen Kollegen ist, gegen das bestehende Risiko abzusichern. Der letzte Teil nimmt die Pleite von Lehman Brothers unter die Lupe, um sich mit der daraus resultierenden unerwarteten Schließung der CDS-Positionen als einem natürlichen Experiment auseinanderzusetzten. Diese Studie dient zur Untersuchung der Risiko- und Leistungsimplikationen der CDS-Investments der Fonds. Die Investmentfonds besitzen bei ihren CDS-Transaktionen im Durchschnitt einen beachtlichen Teil Extremrisiko. Während die CDS-Nutzer von guten Gesamtmarktlagen profitieren, erleiden sie unter Verlusten bei geclusterten Ausfällen.
This dissertation comprises of three chapters on mutual funds. The first chapter establishes the role of managers in the deceptive practice of window dressing. Employing comprehensive career history of U.S. mutual fund managers, I find strong jointly significant manager fixed effects, which are robust after addressing endogenous matching concerns. The estimated manager fixed effects are significant in making out-of-sample predictions. Further I establish that mutual fund interlocks through common managers are important channels that spread window dressing. The second chapter studies the investment strategies of mutual funds regarding their use of credit default swaps (CDS). Matches between mutual funds’ CDS positions and their underlying portfolio in the holdings facilitate a new approach in identifying CDS strategies that complements the “macro” level analyses in the existing literature. I find risk reducing incentives are dominated by speculative incentives, especially those to increase credit exposure via naked short CDS contracts. Experienced fund managers tend to take on more credit risk, while female managers are more likely to hedge comparing with their male peers. The third chapter employs the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the resulting sudden closures of CDS positions as a natural experiment to examine the risk and performance implications of mutual funds’ CDS investments. Funds on average load up on a significant amount of tail risk by trading CDS. While CDS users benefit when market conditions are favorable, they suffer during periods of clustered defaults.

The European Union (EU) is attempting to steer capital towards environmentally friendly investments by implementing a new classification system for sustainable investments, the EU Taxonomy. However, the classification system may be ineffective in countries such as Sweden where similar systems already exist. This thesis attempts to understand the effects of the EU system in Sweden by investigating how the investment strategies of actively managed sustainable funds in the Swedish markets are affected. First, the EU Taxonomy was compared to a selection of existing systems for sustainable investments commonly used by sustainable funds in the Swedish markets. The comparison was conducted with respect to six aspects: environmental, social, governance, general, ethical and design. Second, fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with employees from various fund companies that manage the targeted funds. The comparison showed that the EU Taxonomy differs greatly from the existing systems. The most significant dissimilarities are that (1) the EU Taxonomy is more extensive in the environmental aspect and that (2) the EU system requires the fund companies to conduct more voluminous compliance work. The interview results displayed that (1) the fund companies are generally positive towards the implementation of the EU Taxonomy, (2) they might struggle to conduct the compliance work and (3) the demand from the funds' investors will be a crucial factor for the success of the classification system. The authors concluded that the new classification system has a substantial potential of being effective among actively managed sustainable funds in the Swedish markets. Yet, it is highly dependent on the demand from the funds' investors and on third-party data providers that can facilitate the compliance work. The expected effects are naturally that the funds adjust their investment strategies in line with six environmental objectives defined in the EU Taxonomy.
Europeiska Unionen (EU) planerar att styra kapital mot hållbara investeringar genom att implementera ett nytt klassificeringssystem för hållbara investeringar, EU Taxonomin. Klassificeringssystemet kan dock bli ineffektivt i länder som Sverige där liknande system redan finns. Denna avhandling försöker förstå effekterna av EU-systemet i Sverige genom att undersöka hur investeringsstrategierna för aktivt förvaltade hållbara fonder på de svenska marknaderna påverkas. Först jämfördes EU Taxonomin med ett urval av befintliga system för hållbara investeringar som används av många hållbara fonder på de svenska marknaderna. Jämförelsen genomfördes med avseende på sex aspekter: miljö, socialt, ägarstyrning, generellt, etik och design. Därefter genomfördes fjorton semistrukturerade intervjuer med representanter från olika fondbolag som förvaltar de avsedda hållbarhetsfonderna. Jämförelsen visade att EU Taxonomin skiljer sig mycket från de befintliga systemen. De mest betydande skillnaderna är att (1) EU Taxonomin inkluderar mer omfattande miljökriterier och att (2) EU-systemet kräver att fondbolagen utför ett mer omfattande efterlevnadsarbete. Resultaten från intervjuerna visade att (1) fondbolagen generellt sett är positiva till implementeringen av EU Taxonomin, (2) att det kan bli en stor utmaning att utföra efterlevnadsarbetet och att (3) efterfrågan från fondernas investerare kommer att vara en avgörande faktor för EU Taxonomins framgång. Slutsatsen är att det nya klassificeringssystemet har goda förutsättningar för att bli effektiv bland aktivt förvaltade hållbara fonder på de svenska marknaderna. Samtidigt är det starkt beroende av efterfrågan från fondernas investerare och av tredjepartsdataleverantörer som kan underlätta efterlevnadsarbetet. De förväntade effekterna är att fonderna anpassar sin investeringsstrategi i linje med de sex miljömål som har definierats i EU Taxonomin.

The field of behavioural finance remains to be a major criticizer to the efficient market hypothesis, claiming all humans of being rational. Some argues for the lack of behavioural aspects of investors being a main cause to the financial crisis of 2008, due to tendencies of them following same investment paths. Understanding investors’ sights and approaches is important as behavioural differences can contribute to further enhancements in the financial markets. This study examines the approaches towards the financial markets of managers of actively managed mutual funds in Sweden. By interviewing six managers of actively managed mutual funds, representative conclusions could be drawn, although, not statistically significant as for the lack of supporting numbers of significance. Representatively for the participants in this thesis, the overall estimation of the markets is considered to be efficient to some extent, but do occasionally indicate for having flaws, of which the managers are taken advantage of. Behaving rationally was found to be representative when deciding what and when to invest. Confidence have been proven to be a common attribute among the managers influencing their decisions and investments. You obtain less without confidence than you would have with it. Although, too much confidence can be damageable. There is no point of thinking of hindsight as afterthoughts does not change your past decision.
Beteendefinansiering som ämne är än idag en stor del av kritiken mot den effektiva marknadshypotesen som antar att alla människor är rationella i sitt beteende. Vissa påstår att de bristande beteendemässiga aspekterna är nästintill en huvudanledning till varför finanskrisen 2008 blev som det blev på grund av tendensen av att flertalet investerare följer samma spår. Att förstå hur investerare ser och angriper finansiella marknader är viktigt då det vidare kan möjliggöra för förbättringar på dem marknaderna. Denna studie undersöker förvaltares angreppssätt mot marknader för aktivt förvaltade fonder i Sverige. Genom att intervjua sex förvaltare för aktivt förvaltade fonder har representativa slutsatser kunnat dras, dock inte signifikanta, då metodologin brister i signifikanta siffror som stöd. Respondenternas syn på marknaden antas vara effektiv överlag, men som emellanåt indikerar för ineffektivitet. Att bete sig rationellt resulterade även det för att vara representativt gällande i vad och när man ska investera. Självförtroende i det man som förvaltare sysslar med på en daglig basis är viktigt att ha och är bevisat, dock inte med signifikant stöd av siffror, vara ett gemensamt attribut bland förvaltarna. Har man inte självförtroende som fondförvaltare kan det leda till brister, likt om man har för gott sådant. Det är heller ingen idé att tänka på vad man borde göra i efterhand då sådana eftersläpande tankar inte kan påverka dåtida beslut.

Mestrado em Mathematical Finance
No UK, indivíduos recebem uma pensão após a reforma, ou se falecer sua/seu esposa/o. Esta pode ser oferecida pelo estado, mas um dos casos mais comuns é; as pessoas recebem-na do seu fundo de pensão ocupacional (derivado do seu caminho de trabalho). Este tipo de pensão é fornecido pelo empregador e acumula benefícios que irão gerar o salário do empregado após a reforma. Para financiar as pensões, os empregadores devem criar um portfólio de investimento, que inclui diversos fundos e classes de ativos (alguns que pretendem gerar maiores retornos, assumindo maiores riscos, e outros que pretendem gerar retornos seguros, mas mais baixos). De modo a monitorizar o desempenho destes fundos, com o fim de entender se está a ser feita uma gestão adequada dos mesmos, é necessário ter em conta os seguintes fatores: gestão de risco, alocação dentro das diferentes classes de fundos e seleção de fundos. Para este efeito é utilizado o método de analise de atribuição, que nos diz o valor que foi adicionado ao portfolio proveniente das decisões do gestor. No atual período de pandemia, que afetou os mercados financeiros de forma considerável, o estudo desenvolvido neste projeto, visa perceber qual foi o impacto desta situação em quatro portfolios diferentes, com diferentes estratégias de investimento, e maioritariamente estudar as diferentes posições que foram assumidas pelos diferentes gestores, com o objetivo de manter a estabilidade do desempenho dos portfolios depois da grande queda dos mercados que se deu com o fecho da economia no inicio de 2020.
In the UK, individuals receive a pension after their retirement or their spouse's death. This pension can be provided by the state, but one of the most common cases is that people will receive it from their occupational pension fund (in result of their work path). This type of pension is sponsored by the employer and it accumulates benefits that will generate the income of a person after their retirement. To fund the pensions of the employees, employers need to create investment portfolios, that include different funds and asset classes (some seek higher growth while assuming higher risk, and others seek guaranteed, but lower returns). To monitor the performance of these portfolios and understand if the management is being done efficiently, one needs to take into consideration: risk management, asset allocation and selection decisions. For this effect, we use the attribution analysis method, which tells us the value that has been added to the portfolio by the active management decisions. In a period of pandemic, that affected the financial markets considerably, the study practiced in this project, aims to understand what was the impact of the situation in four different portfolios, with different investment strategies, and mainly to study the different positions that were assumed by the different managers, in order to keep the portfolios stability after the rough market crash that came with the economic shutdown in the beginning of 2020.
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This dissertation presents five research essays evaluating the performance of managed funds in light of the investment strategy and manager characteristics exhibited by institutional investment companies. An analysis of investment performance with respect to a fund managers strategy provides important information in determining whether performance objectives have been achieved. There are a number of different types of investment strategies managed funds may adopt. However, the primary dichotomy is on the basis of whether the portfolio manager implements either an active or index approach. Active managers attempt to outperform the market through the use of price-sensitive information, whereas a passive manager's objective is to replicate the returns and risk of a target benchmark index. The evaluation of investment manager characteristics is also evaluated. This is motivated on the basis that asset management entities place significant emphasis on both the articulation and differentiation of their investment style relative to competitors, and selling the strengths of their portfolio management skills (in terms of past performance) as well identifying the key individuals comprising their investment team and their unique attributes. For active equity managers, the methods used in constructing portfolios and implementing the investment strategy include security selection, in terms of 'top-down' or 'bottom-up' strategies, value-biased, growth-biased or style-neutral strategies, and portfolios exhibiting market capitalisation biases (i.e. preferences to large or small-cap securities). In terms of active bond portfolio management, the most common strategies include duration management and yield curve positioning. Active managers' strategies are likely to extend beyond stock selection, in particular, where the fund manager adjusts the portfolio's composition in anticipation of favourably capitalising on future movements in the market. For index managers, replication of both the returns and risk of the underlying index may be achieved through either full-replication of constituent stocks comprising the index, or through non-replication techniques (stratified sampling and/or optimisation). Each essay provides a unique contribution to the literature with respect to the performance of active and index funds, as well as an analysis of funds that invest specifically in domestic equities, domestic fixed interest, and diversified funds that invest across the broad spectrum of asset classes. The origins of the performance evaluation literature are ascribed to Cowles' (1933) pioneering work, and the literature has given increasing attention to the topic. However the most fundamental issue considered in almost all previous studies of managed fund performance is the extent to which actively managed portfolios have earned superior risk-adjusted excess returns for investors. The literature has overwhelmingly documented (with a small number of exceptions) that active funds have been unable to earn superior returns, either before or after expenses (e.g. Jensen (1968), Elton et al. (1993), Malkiel (1995), Gruber (1996)). While the international evidence is supported by the few Australian managed fund studies available, Australian research remains surprisingly scarce. This is perplexing considering the sheer size of the investment industry in Australia (around $A717 billion as at 30 June 2001) and the importance placed on the sector with respect to successive Federal Governments' retirement income policies. The objectives of this dissertation therefore involve an analysis of managed fund performance with respect to differences in investment strategies (i.e. active and index), as well as providing an analysis of funds invested in equities, bonds and diversified asset classes (or multi-sector portfolios). The first essay evaluates the market timing and security selection capabilities of Australian pooled superannuation funds. These funds provide institutional investors with exposure to securities across many different asset classes, including domestic and international equities, domestic and international fixed interest, property and cash. Surprisingly, the specific analysis of multi-sector funds is scarce in the literature and limited to Brinson et al. (1986, 1991), Sinclair (1990), and Blake et al. (1999). This essay also evaluates performance for the three largest asset classes within diversified superannuation funds and their contribution to overall portfolio return. The importance of an accurately specified market portfolio proxy in the measurement of investment performance is demonstrated, where the essay employs performance benchmarks that account for the multi-sector investment decisions of active investment managers in a manner that is consistent with their unique investment strategy. This approach rectifies Sinclair's (1990) analysis resulting from benchmark misspecification. Consistent with the literature, the empirical results indicate that Australian pooled superannuation funds do not exhibit significantly positive security selection or market timing skill. Given the evidence in the literature surrounding the inability of active funds to deliver superior returns to investors, lower cost index funds have become increasingly popular as an alternative investment strategy. Despite the significant growth in index funds since 1976, when the first index mutual fund was launched in the U.S., research on their performance is sparse in the U.S. and non-existent in Australia. The second essay provides an original analysis of the Australian index fund market, with specific analysis applicable to institutional Australian equity index funds offered by fund managers. While indexing is theoretically straightforward, in practice there exist potential difficulties in exactly matching the return of the underlying index. Therefore the magnitude of tracking error is likely to be of concern to investors. This essay documents the existence of significant tracking error for Australian index funds, where the magnitude of the difference between index fund returns and index returns averages between 7.4 and 22.3 basis points per month for funds operating at least five years. However, there is little evidence of bias in tracking error, implying that these funds neither systematically outperform or underperform their benchmark on a before cost basis. Further analysis documents that the magnitude of tracking error is related to fund cash flows, market volatility, transaction costs and index replication strategies used by passive investment managers. The third essay presents evidence of the performance of U.S. mutual funds, where attention is given to both active and index mutual funds for which the applicable benchmark index is the S&P 500. This essay examines both the magnitude and variation of tracking error over time for S&P 500 index mutual funds. The essay documents seasonality in S&P 500 index mutual fund tracking error, where tracking error is significantly higher in the months of January and May, together with a seasonal trough in the quarters ending March-June-September-December. Statistical evidence indicates tracking error is both positively and significantly correlated with the dividend payments arising from constituent S&P 500 securities. In terms of a performance comparison between actively managed and index funds, active funds on average are found to significantly underperform passive benchmarks. On the other hand, S&P 500 index mutual funds earned higher risk-adjusted excess returns after expenses than large capitalisation-oriented active mutual funds in the period examined. These results suggest the S&P 500 is consistent with capital market efficiency, implying an absence of economic benefit accruing to the average investor utilising actively managed U.S. equity mutual funds. The fourth essay presented in the dissertation examines the performance of Australian investment management organisations with direct reference to their specific characteristics and strategies employed. Using a unique information source, performance is evaluated for actively managed institutional balanced funds (or diversified asset class funds), Australian share funds and Australian bond funds. Performance is evaluated with respect to the investment strategy adopted, the experience and qualifications held by investment professionals, and the tenure of the key investment professionals. This essay also evaluates the performance of senior sector heads to determine the skills of individuals driving the investment process, even though these individuals may migrate to competitor organisations. The essay finds evidence that a significant number of active Australian equity managers earned superior risk-adjusted returns in the period, however active managers perform in line with market indices for balanced funds and Australian bond funds. A number of manager characteristics are also found to predict risk-adjusted excess returns, systematic risk and investment expenses. Of particular note, performance of balanced funds is negatively related to the institution's age and the loyalty of non-senior investment staff. Performance is also found to be significantly higher for managers that predominantly operate their portfolios using a bottom-up, stock selection approach. Interestingly, the human capital of managers, measured as the years of tertiary education undertaken, does not explain risk-adjusted excess returns. Systematic risk is positively related to an institutions age and negatively related to both senior manager loyalty and the implementation of bottom-up portfolio management strategies. In terms of management expenses, fees are directly related to the Australian equities benchmark allocation, the years of tertiary education, the number of years service (loyalty) for non-senior investment professionals and the total years experience of senior money managers. This concluding essay also documents that changes in top management have significant performance effects. In the 12-month period after a change in fixed income director or chief investment officer, performance is significantly lower and significantly higher, respectively. There is no significant difference in performance where changes in top management occur for Australian equities. The years of service (loyalty) provided to asset management firms by equities directors is inversely related to risk-adjusted return. The fifth and final essay examines the investment performance of active Australian bond funds and the impact of investor fund flows on portfolio returns. This essay represents a significant and original analysis in terms of its contribution to the literature, given the absence of Australian bond fund performance analytics and also the limited attention provided in the U.S. Both security selection and market timing performance is evaluated using both unconditional models and conditional performance evaluation techniques, which account for public information and the time-variation in risk. Overall, the results of this essay are consistent with the U.S. and international mutual fund evidence, where performance is found to be consistent with an efficient market. While actively managed institutional funds perform broadly in line with the index before expenses, the paper documents significant underperformance for actively managed retail bond funds after fees. The study also documents that retail fund flows negatively impact on market timing coefficients when flow is not accounted for in unconditional models.

The goal of this diploma thesis is to analyze the gold market and provide readers with the necessary information and context having an impact on the price of gold. The thesis consists of three chapters. First one deals in general with the commodity market and introduces the readers to commodity exchange issues such as trading commodities in commodity exchanges, motives of commodity trading as well as the specific characteristics of commodities. Second one concerns the detailed analysis of commodity investment tools that investors might use when they feel like getting an exposure to price movements of commodities. The last chapter gears towards an analysis of the gold market in today's super globalized world and depicts what fundamental factors have an impact on the price of gold. At last, I shall summarize existing pieces of knowledge and cast light on further gold price movements.

This thesis aims to fill the gap in the SRI fund literature by examining the role of fund families in the flow and investment strategy of individual SRI funds. It examines spillovers in cash flow resulting from the existence of superior (poor) performing SRI funds and investigates the existence of cross-subsidization between SRI family members. It provides evidence of positive spillover effect from having star SRI funds on the monthly cash flow of their SRI siblings. It also finds evidence of cross-subsidization where the performance of winning funds is more likely to be subsidized by their peer losing funds.

Kosowski, Timmermann, Wermers, and White (2006) find that certain growth-oriented fund managers have substantial skill but do not stipulate the particular skills that they possess. I use novel style timing models to examine in detail the timing skills of 3,181 US equity mutual funds classified as having a growth investment objective by Standard & Poor’s, over the period from 1993 to 2006. To control for idiosyncratic variation in mutual fund returns, the bootstrap method of Kosowski et al. is used to analyze the significance of alpha and timing coefficient estimates. To exclude the possibility that the observed timing ability is due to good luck, synthetic funds are examined as in Busse (1999). The results indicate that growth-oriented fund managers who earn abnormal returns demonstrate substantial growth timing skill, i.e. successful timing activity across the value/growth continuum. This observed growth timing ability accounts for at least 45% of abnormal returns and is persistent; the top 10% of funds which demonstrate growth timing ability in the past three years also demonstrate the best growth timing ability in the following year. Successful growth timing is confined to those managers who invest primarily in growth stocks. However, there is little evidence of successful market timing (i.e. forecasting future market states and weighting equity exposure accordingly), size timing (i.e. adjusting exposure between small and large capitalization stocks) or momentum timing (i.e. switching between momentum investing and contrarian investing strategies). The models employed clearly distinguish between growth timing and market timing skills, thereby avoiding a common misidentification problem.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This paper investigates fund manager performance in order to determine whether some fund managers are better than others. The focus of the paper is to examine if fund performance is related to the characteristics of fund managers that may indicate ability, knowledge, or effort. The data consists of South African regulated unit trust growth and growth-and-income funds investigated over a seven-year period, and comprehensive and detailed information on the various fund managers supplied by the MoneyMate database from the University of Stellenbosch. The research objective has been to find out whether fund manager characteristics help explain fund performance and risk. Stepwise regression analysis as the research methodology is applied, where the two dependent variables, performance and risk, are regressed on the eight independent variables; manager age, tenure of the manager with the fund, years of education, whether the manager hold a MBA or CA/CFA qualification, management team size, fund age and fund objective. The findings of the study are highly significant and show that fund performance and risk are impacted upon by managers' qualifications. One can expect better risk-adjusted performance from a fund manager who holds a CA/CFA and/or MBA qualification. Results show that these managers outperform managers without these qualifications.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek fondsbestuurder prestasie met die doel om te bepaal of sommige bestuurders beter is as ander. Die fokus van die studie ondersoek of fondsprestasie verband hou met die eienskappe van fondsbestuurders. Die data bestaan uit Suid-Afrikaanse effektetrust groei en groei-en-inkomste fondse bestudeer oor 'n periode van sewe jaar, en omvattende besonderhede van die fondsbestuurders soos verskaf deur die MoneyMate databasis van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch. Die doel van die navorsing is om bewyse te vind wat mag aandui dat fondsbestuurdereienskappe wel fondsprestasie en risiko's kan beïnvloed en verduidelik. Die metode van stapsgewyse regressie word toegepas, waar die impak van die agt onafhanklike veranderlikes (ouderdom van die fondsbestuurder, sy jare by die fonds, sy aantal jare van tersiêre onderrig, of die bestuurder 'n MBA of CA/CFA kwalifikasie besit, spangrootte, ouderdom van die fonds en die fonds se doelstelling) op die twee afhanklike veranderlikes (prestasie en risiko) ondersoek word. Die bevindinge van die studie is hoogs betekenisvol en dui daarop dat 'n fonds se prestasie en risiko's wel beïnvloed word deur die kwalifikasies van die fondsbestuurder. Beter risiko aangepaste prestasies kan verwag word van bestuurders wat 'n MBA en/of CA/CFA kwalifikasie besit. Die resultate toon wel dat fonds bestuurders ander bestuurders uitpresteer wat nie daardie kwalifikasie besit nie.

Mestrado em Contabilidade, Fiscalidade e Finanças Empresariais
Este estudo foca-se na relação entre gestores e avaliadores no sector nacional, de fundos de investimento imobiliário, com o objetivo de desenvolver um quadro teórico de como a independência dos avaliadores é percebida por ambos os agentes. Sobre a metodologia, o estudo combina uma pesquisa qualitativa através de entrevistas com especialistas para entender quais são os principais conceitos relacionados com a independência do avaliador e uma pesquisa quantitativa com base num questionário distribuído individualmente a vários gestores de fundos imobiliários e avaliadores. Podemos concluir que o conceito de independência do avaliador não tem uma definição simples e que os fatores mais citados na definição são a pressão, os conflitos de interesses, ter ética de trabalho e ser qualificado. A pesquisa qualitativa trouxe grande valor acrescentado a este estudo permitindo entender os fatores que influenciam a independência dos avaliadores. Os resultados estatísticos mostram que os cinco fatores mais correlacionados com a independência do avaliador são a dimensão do cliente, o risco de sanções disciplinares impostas por autoridades reguladoras ou de associações profissionais, o acesso a trabalhos anteriores do mesmo imóvel, forma de remuneração das avaliações e a experiência do avaliador. Além disso, também concluiu que os avaliadores e os gestores de fundos têm as mesmas perceções sobre a importância de cada fator para a independência das avaliações. Algumas limitações deste estudo são a falta de controlo direto sobre os inquiridos ao responder ao questionário e o fato dos fatores terem sido todos tratados da mesma forma.
This study focuses on the relationship between fund managers and appraisers in the national sector, of real estate investment funds, with the aim of developing a theoretical framework of how the independence of the appraisers is perceived by both agents. Regarding the methodology, this study combines a qualitative interview survey with experts to understand which are the main concepts related to the appraiser´s independence and a quantitative survey based on a questionnaire distributed individually to several real estate fund managers and appraisers. We can conclude that the concept of appraiser independence does not have a simple definition and that the factors more mentioned in the definition are the pressure, the conflicts of interests, work ethic, and be qualified. The qualitative research brought great added value to this study allowing us to understand the factors that influence the appraisers? independence. The statistic results show that the five factors more correlated with the appraiser´s independence are client dimension, risk of disciplinary sanctions imposed by regulatory authorities or professional associations, access to the previous works of the same real estate, form of remuneration of the appraisals, and appraiser´s experience. Additionally, we also found that appraisers and other agents have the same perceptions about the importance of each factor to the appraisals independence. Some limitations of this study are the lack of direct control over respondents while answering the questionnaire and the fact we have handled all factors the same way.

This thesis investigates the impact of an EU-directive (directive 2011/61/EU) regarding the administration of alternative investments by fund managers (AIFMs) on the business models of AIFMs which became effective on June 22, 2013. This new fund regulation is expected to affect the business models of traditional AIFMs that were not previously subject to regulation but now have to comply with these rules. The potential effect of the Alternative Investment Fund Manager Directive (AIFMD) has been subject to contentious debate in the past. However, the outcomes of the AIFMD have not previously been considered post implementation and so will be investigated for the first time by this research thesis. This thesis explores the changes already driven by the AIFMD to understand its impact on traditional business models. These changes are currently initiated by fund managers in order to ensure a sustainable business. This thesis also investigates how the marketplace in which fund managers operate will change as a result of the AIFMD and how this change will impact traditional business models. Since the AIFMD only recently became effective, no quantitative data is available. Therefore, this research is based on exploratory research starting with an online survey sent to 200 fund managers managing different types of small, medium and large Alternative Investment Funds. The online survey asks general questions about the fund manager’s business, such as size, jurisdictions, investment types, etc. It also reveals the extent to which business models have been adapted to the requirements, in particular the operating conditions of the AIFMD and which requirements still need to be employed by the respective fund manager. Based on the results of the online survey, a small number of fund managers were chosen for personal interviews representing different types and size of managed funds as well as a variety of country locations. The samples were chosen in that way to allow generalization of the research findings for a broad range of different fund managers with different business models. The personal interviews enable confirmation of the findings achieved by the online survey as well as providing a deeper understanding of how fund managers perceive the impact of the AIFMD on their business model. The form of the interviews is flexible with open and spontaneous questions appropriate to the specific interview situation. This enables a more complex and sophisticated view of the change of traditional business models. Since the AIFMD was only recently realized and currently several AIFMD documents, such as specific guidance, is still outstanding, additional research is needed. Additional research could consider more quantitative data that is not yet available.

I examine mutual fund performance using three different perspectives. I begin with Mutual Fund Holdings Batting Average, in which I analyze mutual fund performance through the creation of a new variable using funds’ stock holdings information. My results show that this new variable, Holdings Batting Average, is related to the future performance of managers. My next chapter, Quarterly Mutual Fund Holdings Information and Window Dressing examines two different approaches of using holdings information. I recommend that fund holdings reported at the beginning of the quarter are more related to actual mutual fund performance than holdings disclosed at the end of the quarter. In my last chapter, Morningstar’s Upside and Downside Capture Ratios¸ I test these two ratios that are being reported by Morningstar. I find that these measures do not predict outperformance, but appear to be related to future fund flows.

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The recent global financial crisis brought significant regulatory changes in the worldwide financial industry. In Europe and in the alternative asset sector specifically, a new regulation by the name of Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive saw the daylight in 2010. This far-reaching and complex Directive with the main goal of regulating and overseeing alternative investment funds has triggered many discussions and represents an industry game-changer. Thus, this research will focus on the impact and consequences of the Directive on private equity fund managers and the role of regulators. In other words, what are the effects, what does that mean in a quantitative and qualitative sense, and how is it likely to influence the outlook of this asset class? In order to provide the reader with an extensive view on the topic, the paper will first discuss relevant theory and literature, using mix-methods and legal-dogmatic approaches. Further, descriptive case studies, analysis of existing surveys, and interviews with industry experts will supplement the paper in order to understand primary implications of the Directive with the goal of providing useful insights for further private equity regulation research.
A recente crise financeira global trouxe mudanças regulatórias significativas no setor financeiro em todo o mundo. Na Europa e no setor de ativos alternativos especificamente, um novo regulamento com o nome de Directiva Gestores de Fundos de Investimento Alternativos viu a luz do dia em 2010. Este abrangente e complexa directiva, com o principal objetivo de regulamentar e fiscalizar os fundos de investimento alternativos provocou muitas discussões. Assim, esta pesquisa vai se concentrar sobre o impacto e as consequências da directiva relativa aos gestores de fundos de private equity e o papel dos reguladores. Em outras palavras, quais são os efeitos, o que isso significa em um sentido quantitativo e qualitativo, e como ele é susceptível de influenciar as perspectivas de esta classe de activos? A fim de fornecer ao leitor uma ampla visão sobre o tema, o papel vai primeiro discutir teoria e literatura relevante, usando mixmétodos e abordagens jurídico-dogmático. Além disso, estudos descritivos de caso, análise de inquéritos existentes e entrevistas com especialistas da indústria irá complementar o papel de forma a compreender as implicações principais da directiva com o objetivo de fornecer informações úteis para pesquisas futuras private equity regulamento.

In two unrelated papers, we examine different aspects of mutual fund performance and other issues. In the first chapter, we look at exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and how they differ from index funds in performance and tracking error. Using daily data and a more comprehensive sample than past research, we find abnormal returns associated with the ETFs are higher than the alphas of the index funds in most cases. The results are much more prevalent in funds that follow the S&P 500 than funds that do not. When examining the tracking errors, we find index funds are able to track their indexes much better than ETFs and domestic ETFs are better than ETFs that track international indexes. In our most significant finding, we find that tracking error affects fund flow in the following period. While fund flows are generally increasing for both ETFs and index funds, funds that track their respective index better increase their net assets by a larger percentage than funds that track their index less well. In the second chapter, we look at the differences in performance and characteristics of mutual funds as they relate to the manager's gender. Using a larger sample and different techniques than have been used in the past, we find some differences in our matched comparison which suggest female managers have a lower risk tolerance than males. Females also tend to hold a higher number of assets (stocks) and fewer assets in their top 10 holdings than do male managers. In, pooled regressions, we find weak, but significant evidence that current female fund managers, when analyzed as a group, show slightly lower performance than male managers. We then analyze performance within funds over time. Our most consistent result is that when changing the composition of fund management, regardless of gender, the new management has significantly greater performance than prior management. We also find some evidence, although not conclusive, that the percentage of female managers managing a fund is negatively related to the fund's performance over time. Finally, we find the determinants of abnormal returns cannot be attributed to the fund manager's gender.

Costa Rica’s annual mean precipitation is above 3300 mm, but this precipitation is not evenly distributed in time or space, producing clear differentiated wet and dry seasons in most of the country. Droughts are also common phenomena which greatly affect the availability of water resources. Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) schemes are being taken into consideration to enhance the underground water storage capacity of the country. The present study constitutes the first assessment for the identification of suitable sites for the implementation of MAR technology spreading methods (SM) in Costa Rica. The suitable sites are identified by means of a geographic information system multi-criteria decision analysis (GIS-MCDA) based on four criteria: hydrogeological aptitude, terrain slope, top soil texture and drainage network density. Four steps are performed in order to identify these sites: problem definition, screening for suitable areas, suitability mapping, and sensitivity analysis. The suitability map was divided in two zones after the screening: suitable and unsuitable, the first zone was further divided in five classes according to the weighted linear combination (WLC) ranking. The results indicate that 61% of the country is suitable for conducting SM. This map is a tool for future implementation of MAR techniques in the country.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
A persistent problem for hedge fund researchers presents itself in the form of inconsistent and diverse style classifications within and across database providers. For this paper, single-manager hedge funds from the Hedge Fund Research (HFR) and Hedgefund.Net (HFN) databases were classified on the basis of a common factor, extracted using the factor axis methodology. It was assumed that the returns of all sample hedge funds are attributable to a common factor that is shared across hedge funds within one classification, and a specific factor that is unique to a particular hedge fund. In contrast to earlier research and the application of principal component analysis, factor axis has sought to determine how much of the covariance in the dataset is due to common factors (communality). Factor axis largely ignores the diagonal elements of the covariance matrix and orthogonal factor rotation maximises the covariance between hedge fund return series. In an iterative framework, common factors were extracted until all return series were described by one common and one specific factor. Prior to factor extraction, the series was tested for autoregressive moving-average processes and the residuals of such models were used in further analysis to improve upon squared correlations as initial factor estimates. The methodology was applied to 120 ten-year rolling estimation windows in the July 1990 to June 2010 timeframe. The results indicate that the number of distinct style classifications is reduced in comparison to the arbitrary self-selected classifications of the databases. Single manager hedge funds were grouped in portfolios on the basis of the common factor they share. In contrast to other classification methodologies, these common factor portfolios (CFPs) assume that some unspecified individual component of the hedge fund constituents’ returns is diversified away and that single manager hedge funds should be classified according to their common return components. From the CFPs of single manager hedge funds, pure style indices were created to be entered in a multivariate autoregressive framework. For each style index, a Vector Error Correction model (VECM) was estimated to determine the short-term as well as co-integrating relationship of the hedge fund series with the index level series of a stock, bond and commodity proxy. It was postulated that a) in a well-diversified portfolio, the current level of the hedge fund index is independent of the lagged observations from the other asset indices; and b) if the assumptions of the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) hold, it is expected that the predictive power of the model will be low. The analysis was conducted for the July 2000 - June 2010 period. Impulse response tests and variance decomposition revealed that changes in hedge fund index levels are partially induced by changes in the stock, bond and currency markets. Investors are therefore cautioned not to overemphasise the diversification benefits of hedge fund investments. Commodity trading advisors (CTAs) / managed futures, on the other hand, deliver diversification benefits when integrated with an existing portfolio. The results indicated that single manager hedge funds can be reliably classified using the principal factor axis methodology. Continuously re-balanced pure style index representations of these classifications could be used in further analysis. Extensive multivariate analysis revealed that CTAs and macro hedge funds offer superior diversification benefits in the context of existing portfolios. The empirical results are of interest not only to academic researchers, but also practitioners seeking to replicate the methodologies presented.

This study seeks to evaluate the performance of unit trust managers based on their client affiliation classification. Worldwide, the number of investors investing in unit trusts is on the rise and increasingly they want to be able to evaluate the performance of the managers managing their funds so as to make better investment decisions. This increase in the asset size and number of unit trusts funds could be attributed but not limited to the low capital required for investment by small investors who before could not afford to invest in portfolios requiring large capital (Prather, Bertin, and Henker, 2004). In addition, the fund managers of these units are believed to have special skills such as market timing and stock selectivity which contribute to the performances they achieve. The evaluation of the performance of unit trust fund managers is a largely unexplored area in South Africa. As a result, the study focuses on South Africa fund managers and has as aim to evaluate the performance of two groups of fund managers (independent and dependent) who were classified based on their client affiliation structure. The client affiliation classification is as a result of the fund manager‟s clientele base. The dependent group are those who formed part of a group structure and offer other wealth management services for which their clients or investors in the unit trust services originate from within the group while the independent group are those whose clients are pulled together from diverse individuals or institutions and does not form part of a group or render other services other than fund management. Two fund types were selected namely
general equity funds and balanced funds. It has also examined the underlying skills the different groups of fund managers possess. The performance of unit trust has an effect on many parties who are related in one way or the other to the unit trust funds. The results of this study will inform individual investors, trustees and asset consultants in their decision making process of selecting a fund manager. The results of the study will be of value to the asset management industry in terms of assessing their structures and restructuring the investment service business to meet the expectations of their clients
the investors. It could also be used as a marketing tool. Publicly available historical data on the returns generated by fund managers for a five year period from 
2005 to 2009 was obtained. Analyses were done using the independent sampled t-test and the Treynor Mazel model respectively for the different research questions posed. The results obtained indicated that there were no statistically significant differences between the performances of independent fund managers with those of dependent fund managers. However, dependent fund managers of equity funds performed better than their counterparts the independent fund managers. In the case of balanced funds, the independent fund managers performed better than their dependent counterparts. On average, both fund 
manager types possessed selectivity skills for equity funds and none for balanced funds. However for both fund types, the dependent fund manager demonstrated more selectivity skills than their independent counterparts. The results for market timing skills demonstrated that on average, both fund managers did not possess market timing skills for balanced funds while possessing these skills for equity funds. The dependent 
fund managers demonstrated more market timing skills for balanced funds though negative when compared to that of their counterparts. On the other hand, the equity fund independent fund 
managers demonstrated more market timing skills than the dependent fund managers.

Costa Rica’s annual mean precipitation is above 3300 mm, but this precipitation is not evenly distributed in time or space, producing clear differentiated wet and dry seasons in most of the country. Droughts are also common phenomena which greatly affect the availability of water resources. Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) schemes are being taken into consideration to enhance the underground water storage capacity of the country. The present study constitutes the first assessment for the identification of suitable sites for the implementation of MAR technology spreading methods (SM) in Costa Rica. The suitable sites are identified by means of a geographic information system multi-criteria decision analysis (GIS-MCDA) based on four criteria: hydrogeological aptitude, terrain slope, top soil texture and drainage network density. Four steps are performed in order to identify these sites: problem definition, screening for suitable areas, suitability mapping, and sensitivity analysis. The suitability map was divided in two zones after the screening: suitable and unsuitable, the first zone was further divided in five classes according to the weighted linear combination (WLC) ranking. The results indicate that 61% of the country is suitable for conducting SM. This map is a tool for future implementation of MAR techniques in the country.

Background

Out of the different fund categories hedge funds have had the highest development in Sweden since 1994. Swedish investors’ interest in hedge funds doubled from 2005 to 2006. Hedge funds are said to be an investment with a low risk and not being dependent upon business cycle movements. Historically there have been high initial investments, most often over 100 000 SEK, required to invest in hedge funds. This has started to shift towards lower initial investments. This is a reason why hedge funds start to become interesting to private investors and not only to institutional, and wealthy private investors.

Purpose

The purpose of this thesis is to explore what different investment strategies and sub strategies that are used within Swedish hedge funds. Also specific risks and risk measurements, depending on investment strategy, will be investigated and compared.

Method

In order to meet the purpose of this thesis a qualitative approach has been used. A questionnaire, with both closed and open-end questions, was sent to 13 hedge fund managers operating in the Swedish hedge fund market. Afterwards, four semi-structured interviews were conducted. Two of the interviewees are hedge fund managers who also answered the questionnaire. The others were with a person who is a hedge fund analyst and a person working at the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (SFSA).

Conclusion

Out of the five different investment strategies investigated the two most widely used in Swedish hedge funds are funds of hedge funds and equity hedge. The sub strategies that are used within the Swedish hedge fund market are those with a focus on low risk. Within Swedish hedge funds there are some specific risks and risk measurements that are useful. Sharpe ratio is best used to compare similar funds. Standard deviation is useful to evaluate each specific hedge fund. How much leverage capital that can be used is decided by SFSA. Yet, the risks depend on the hedge fund manager rather than the investment strategy used. This, due to the fact that the hedge fund managers have an own interest in the hedge fund.

The fund market has grown substantially during the past decades and the majority of Swedish citizens are invested in funds directly or through pension savings. There is mixed evidence on the performance of Swedish equity funds depending on the method employed and the time period studied. In this study, we set out to estimate abnormal performance using acknowledged methods during a time-period that is both longer and more recent than previous studies. Our sample is survivorship-free and consists of 150 mutual equity funds during January 1993 to December 2011. We use a four-factor model to estimate abnormal performance compared to an index and additional risk factors. We find that the average performance is neutral net of costs and that funds outperform with 1.7 percent before costs, the difference is approximately the average management fee. Over time, we find that the average abnormal performance and the share of funds that have significant outperformance have decreased while the share of significant underperformance has increased. Since the study of fund performance started in the 1960's the twin questions has been; does funds outperform the market and is this a result of pure chance or are managers skilled? Since we observe funds with significant positive and negative abnormal performance, we want to know if the results can attributed to luck or skill. We employ the latest technique, a bootstrap simulation, to test for skill or luck. This is the first study to employ the bootstrap to distinguish skill from luck in sample of Swedish funds. By ranking funds on performance after costs, we find that the performance of the majority of funds can be attributed to skill or "bad skill". The evidence is strongest in the top 95th percentile and above, and from the bottom 50th percentile and below.

This dissertation investigates three types of investment manager trading behaviour to ascertain whether behavioural biases are present in the Australian investment management industry. In particular, this thesis examines whether these biases are detrimental to fund performance and market efficiency, and whether there is a need for regulatory review given the behaviour of institutions in their trading on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). The three empirical issues examined in this thesis are: leader and follower patterns in institutional trading; quarter-end gaming behaviour; and short-term trading activity and the role of institutional monitoring. Firstly, in the analysis of leader-follower behaviour, this thesis finds profitable trade packages are executed using multiple brokers as a way to accumulate a larger package in a shorter window of time and as means of enhancing disguise. Profitability is higher when these trade packages are mimicked and when there are up to three mimickers, compared to situations in which no mimicking occurs. Potential mimickers do not appear to ignore their own signal when deciding whether or not to follow when the sequence is short, but may do so for longer sequences as predicted by Grenadier (1999). It is concluded that short sequences of mimicking trades by active fund managers speed the price discovery process. Secondly, in an investigation of ??portfolio pumping?? by Australian active investment managers, this thesis finds significant abnormal stock and fund returns on the final business day of the calendar quarter-end. This thesis then identifies particular trades, appearing mostly in less liquid stocks, which accompany stocks that are marked up at quarter-end (it is not possible in this thesis to prove causation given the trades in this sample are not time-stamped). Fund managers execute more purchases than normal on the last day of the quarter in stocks in which they are overweight, providing strong evidence that manager behaviour is modified on the last day of the quarter-end. This study also finds poor-performing managers are more likely to perpetrate gaming trades, which may be as a result of career concerns and business risk management. New investors in funds would benefit substantially by delaying their entry to the fund until the day after the end of the quarter, as there is a lower entry price into the fund. However, portfolio pumping does not substantially affect the returns of extant fund investors, as the trading cost associated with the relatively small gaming trades is relatively small. Attempts by the ASX to reduce price manipulation, such as instituting a closing price call auction and then later revising the algorithm of this auction, have been effective in limiting both the number of occurrences, as well as the severity of gaming on the efficiency of the market. Thirdly, in an examination of the short-term trading activity of active investment managers which threaten exit, this thesis find that a larger number of actively trading multi-blockholders significantly raises firm performance. It remains true that an individual blockholder who intervenes to raise firm performance has to share gains with other blockholders. But firm manager effort is enhanced by the threat of exit by blockholders when they receive a bad signal concerning managerial effort. This study tests seven nested hypotheses proposed by Edmans and Manso (2008) using sequences of short-term institutional trades that threaten exit. Blockholder net profit is diminishing in the number of traders, consistent with a common signal of poor managerial performance. Moreover, these trade sequences are profitable even after transaction costs. Spreads are lower and the firm??s share price becomes more sensitive to managerial performance as more blockholders threaten exit. From the three broad investigations into fund manager activity this thesis undertakes, active fund managers are shown to behave rationally and, apart from their behaviour at quarter-end, they act in the interests of their investors, aid price discovery, reduce bid-ask spreads and thereby exhibit a positive influence on market efficiency.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2006.
Title from electronic title page (viewed Oct. 10, 2007). "... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the KenanFlagler Business School (Accounting)." Discipline: Business Administration; Department/School: Business School, Kenan-Flagler.