We propose a flow-based explanation for two long-standing anomalies in empirical finance – Sell in May and the January effect. We find that mutual fund flows exhibit similar seasonal patterns as stock returns. After controlling for fund flows both calendar effects become insignificant. We...

The literature provides broad evidence for the seasonality of stock market returns, but is very scarce regarding the potential seasonality of investment funds performance. Using a sample of 5349 Equity Europe or Equity Eurozone investment funds, this article contributes to fill this gap by...

We revisit the tax-loss selling hypothesis as an explanation of the January effect. We expand on prior empirical evidence from municipal bond closed-end funds (CEFs) by extending the sample period by 19 years and adding exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Our sample covers the introduction and rapid...