Using an extensive new data set on U.S. and U.K.-traded closed- end funds, we examine the diversification benefits from … emerging equity markets and the extent of their integration with global capital markets. To measure diversification benefits … significant diversification benefits for the U.K. country funds, but not for the U.S. funds. The difference appears to relate to …

The benefits of international diversification have been recognized for decades. In spite of this, most investors hold … domestic equity market to be several hundred basis points higher than returns in other markets. This lack of diversification …