First developed by Markowitz (1952), the mean-variance framework is the most widespread theoretical approximation to the portfolio problem. Nevertheless, successful application in the investment community has been limited. Assumptions such as normality of returns and a static correlation matrix...

Corporate sponsors of defined benefit pension plans generally assume low investment risk when they have low funding ratios and high default risk, consistent with the risk management hypothesis. However, for financially distressed sponsors and sponsors that freeze, terminate, or convert defined...

This paper examines the determinants of cross-sectional variation in post-merger mutual fund performance. Mergers between funds with similar management objectives, as reflected by average portfolio book-to-market ratio, price–earnings ratio, beta and market capitalization values, outperform...

Income trusts are one of the major investment vehicles for Canadians with an estimated 2004 market capitalization of $118.7 billion. This study aims to outline the nature of income trusts and the standing of trusts in the current financial environment. To that end, the study offers an overview...

Hedge funds often impose lockups and notice periods to limit the ability of investors to withdraw capital. We model the investor's decision to withdraw capital as a real option and treat lockups and notice periods as exercise restrictions. Our methodology incorporates time-varying probabilities...

This paper addresses the questions whether European mutual fund managers rely on sell-side analyst information and whether this behavior impacts fund performance. Results show that mutual funds significantly increase (decrease) their holdings in stocks when any of the consensus forecast measures...

We find that the aggregate asset allocation decisions of US mutual fund investors depend on economic conditions. Both anticipated economic downturns and periods of turmoil lead investors to direct flow away from risky equity funds and towards lower-risk money market funds. These patterns are...

Los recientes marcos regulatorios del sector financiero y asegurador otorgan una creciente importancia a la gestión de riesgos. El regulador exige a las entidades que dispongan de un capital reservado para hacer frente a posibles pérdidas derivadas de sus actividades; este capital se...

This article analyzes the manifold situations in which the efficient-market hypothesis (EMH) has influenced—or has failed to influence—federal securities regulation and state corporate law, and the prospective roles for the EMH in these contexts. In federal securities regulation, the EMH has...

Increasing attention is paid to risk management under the recent regulatory frameworks of the insurance and financial sectors. It is required by the regulator that institutions have a capital to face potential losses from their activity. This capital is usually assessed by means of risk...