Recent advances in explaining hedge fund returns:implicit factors and exposures

We survey articles covering how hedge fund returns are explained, using largely non-linear multifactor models that examine the non-linear pay-offs and exposures of hedge funds. We provide an integrated view of the implicit factor and statistical factor models that are largely able to explain the hedge fund return-generating process. We present their evolution through time by discussing pioneering studies that made a significant contribution to knowledge, and also recent innovative studies that examine hedge fund exposures using advanced econometric methods. This is the first review that analyzes very recent studies that explain a large part of hedge fund variation. We conclude by presenting some gaps for future research.

Estudo da sensibilidade do fluxo de investimento em fundos multimercado

Este trabalho estuda o impacto causado no fluxo de investimento em fundos multimercado por variáveis como o retorno dos fundos, o retorno do benchmark, a volatilidade de mercado, o fluxo de investimento de estrangeiros na Bolsa de Valores do Estado de São Paulo e o desempenho dos fundos ajustados pelo risco.

Return and Volatility performance comparison of Ethical and Non-ethical publicly-listed financial services companies

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A sovereign wealth fund to lift Germany's curse of excess savings. CEPS Policy Brief No. 280, 28 August 2012

As an alternative to the present system of intermediation of the German savings surplus, this paper suggests that the risk-adjusted rate of return could be improved by creating a sovereign wealth fund for Germany (designated DESWF), which could invest excess German savings globally. Such a DESWF would offer German savers a secure vehicle paying a guaranteed positive minimum real interest rate, with a top-up when real investment returns allowed. The vehicle would invest the funds in a portfolio that is highly diversified by geography and asset classes. Positive real returns can be expected in the long run based on positive real global growth. Since, in this case, a significant amount of funds would flow outside the euro area, the euro would depreciate, which would help crisis countries presently struggling to revive growth through exports and to close their external deficits so as to recoup their international credit-worthiness. Target imbalances would gradually disappear and German claims abroad would move from nominal claims on the ECB to diversified real and nominal claims on various private and public foreign entities in a variety of asset classes.

Drivers of fund performance: a panel data analysis

The principle aim of this research is to elucidate the factors driving the total rate of return of non-listed funds using a panel data analytical framework. In line with previous results, we find that core funds exhibit lower yet more stable returns than value-added and, in particular, opportunistic funds, both cross-sectionally and over time. After taking into account overall market exposure, as measured by weighted market returns, the excess returns of value-added and opportunity funds are likely to stem from: high leverage, high exposure to development, active asset management and investment in specialized property sectors. A random effects estimation of the panel data model largely confirms the findings obtained from the fixed effects model. Again, the country and sector property effect shows the strongest significance in explaining total returns. The stock market variable is negative which hints at switching effects between competing asset classes. For opportunity funds, on average, the returns attributable to gearing are three times higher than those for value added funds and over five times higher than for core funds. Overall, there is relatively strong evidence indicating that country and sector allocation, style, gearing and fund size combinations impact on the performance of unlisted real estate funds.

The return due to diversification of real estate to the US mixed-asset portfolio

Booth and Fama (1992) observe that the compound return and so the terminal wealth of a portfolio is greater than the weighted average of the compound returns of the individual investments, a difference referred to as the return due to diversification (RDD). Thus assets that offer high RDD should be particularly attractive investments. This paper test the proposition that US direct real estate is such an asset class using annual data over the period 1951-2001. The results show that adding real estate to an existing mixed-asset portfolio increases the compound return and so the terminal wealth of the fund. However, the results are dependent on the percentage allocation to real estate and the asset class replaced.

Required returns for real estate in UK pension fund portfolios

The position of Real Estate within a multi-asset portfolio has received considerable attention recently. Previous research has concentrated on the percentage holding property would achieve given its risk/return characteristics. Such studies have invariably used Modern Portfolio Theory and these approaches have been criticised for both the quality of the real estate data and problems with the methodology itself. The first problem is now well understood, and the second can be addressed by the use of realistic constraints on asset holdings. This paper takes a different approach. We determine the level of return that Real Estate needs to achieve to justify an allocation within the multi asset portfolio. In order to test the importance of the quality of the data we use historic appraisal based and desmoothed returns to examine the sensitivity of the results. Consideration is also given to the Holding period and the imposition of realistic constraints on the asset holdings in order to model portfolios held by pension fund investors. We conclude, using several benchmark levels of portfolio risk and return, that using appraisal based data the required level of return for Real Estate was less than that achieved over the period 1972-1993. The use of desmoothed series can reverse this result at the highest levels of desmoothing although within a restricted holding period Real Estate offered returns in excess of those required to enter the portfolio and might have a role to play in the multi-asset portfolio.

In cash we trust: cash holdings in the brazilian equity fund industry

We study cash allocation ability as a possible explanatory factor that allows equity fund managers to produce high levels of adjusted returns (not explained by the risk factors they are exposed to). In order to do so, we explore the non-indexed Brazilian equity fund industry during the period of January 2006 to February 2015, evaluating cash allocation ability by level and effectiveness of cash deployment using return-based and holding-based approaches to explore a database of monthly invested assets and returns. We found that even though market timing is a rare skill in the industry, the flexibility to hold high levels of cash played a significant role in the result of over performing managers.

Return on Investment Program FYs 10, 11 and 12 Project Status Report, January 15, 2014

DAS is required to report on projects funded through the Return on Investment Program (ROI). The ROI program has been funded through an appropriation from the Technology Reinvestment Fund. The Technology Reinvestment Fund was created during the 2006 legislative session, and the first appropriations from this fund were for FY 2006-2007. The first report related to that fiscal year and was delivered to the legislature by January 1, 2008. This current report updates projects from fiscal years 10, 11 and 12.

Return on Investment Program FYs 11 and 12 Project Status Report, January 1, 2015

The Office of the Chief Information Officer is required to report on projects funded through the Return on Investment Program (ROI). The ROI program has been funded through an appropriation from the Technology Reinvestment Fund. The Technology Reinvestment Fund was created during the 2006 legislative session, and the first appropriations from this fund were for FY 2006-2007. The first report related to that fiscal year and was delivered to the legislature by January 1, 2008. This current report updates projects from fiscal years 11 and 12.