This study tests a large sample of UK equity returns from 1965-2007 for predictability. Returns are tested using the Lo and MacKinlay (1988) variance ratio test and the Chow and Denning (1993) multiple variance ratio tests. Overall, the results show strong signs of predictability. There is a...

This paper replicates the core underlying merger arbitrage strategy using daily data from the United Kingdom to generate three simulated merger arbitrage portfolio return series, for the period 2001 through to 2004. Past empirical evidence indicates that the merger arbitrage strategy generates...

Recently a range of alternative risk premia products have been developed promising investors hedge fund/CTA like returns with higher liquidity, transparency and relatively low fees. The attractiveness of these products rests on the assumption that they can deliver similar returns. Using a novel...

The time series momentum strategy has been shown to deliver consistent profitability over a long time horizon. Funds pursuing these strategies are now a component of many institutional portfolios, due to the expectation of positive returns in equity bear markets. However, the return drivers of...

We show that fund-specific return skewness is associated with managerial skill and future hedge fund performance. Specifically, skewness in fund returns reflects managerial skill in avoiding large drawdowns. Using a new measure of investment skill that accounts for this managerial ability, we...

Following large positive returns in 2008, Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs) received increased attention and allocations from institutional investors. Subsequent performance has been below its long term average. This has occurred in a period following the largest financial crisis since the great...

During the recent financial crisis dedicated short bias (DSB) hedge funds exhibited extremely strong results while many other hedge fund strategies suffered badly. This study, prompted by this recent episode, investigates DSB hedge fund performance over an extended sample period, from January...

In this paper we examine the characteristics of high frequency pairs trading using a sample of FTSE100 constituent stocks for the period January to December 2007. We show that the excess returns of the strategy are extremely sensitive both to transaction costs and speed of execution. When we...

There is a growing literature examining futures based trading strategies and the performance of Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs). In this paper, we test the validity of three key assumptions used in these studies. The validity of basing conclusions on analysis of synthetic rather than market...

We model the returns of the convertible arbitrage strategy using a non-linear framework. This strategy has generated long periods of positive returns and low volatility, followed by shorter periods of extreme negative returns and high volatility, associated with market upheaval. We specify a...