This paper examines foreign institutional investors' portfolio allocation and performance in U.S. securities. We test how information immobility, proxied by cultural and geographical distance between the investors' home markets and the U.S., influences portfolio strategies. Consistent with...

A comprehensive description of the trading and statistical characteristics of VIX futures and their exchange-traded notes motivates our study of their benefits to equity investors seeking to diversify their exposure. We analyze when diversification into VIX futures is ex-ante optimal for...

It is well established that international portfolios are far substantially under-diversified, contrary to predictions of traditional finance theory. Even after controlling for market segmentation and “investability” of foreign markets, portfolio under-diversification remains a puzzle. I...

We provide evidence that speculative capital of hedge funds is a key determinant for the profitability of optimal carry and momentum strategies in futures markets across asset classes. We construct optimal carry and momentum portfolios from the perspective of a utility maximizing risk averse...

This paper addresses the questions whether European mutual fund managers rely on sell-side analyst information with respect to their investment decisions and whether this behavior impacts fund performance. Based on a sample of over 4,300 European mutual funds and around 1.2 million portfolio...

Infrastructure as a new asset class is said to have several distinct and attractive investment characteristics. This article reviews concepts, market developments and empirical evidence on the risk-return and cash flow profile, and the potential for diversification and inflation protection in...

We examine the use of credit default swaps (CDS) in the U.S. mutual fund industry. We find that among the largest 100 corporate bond funds the use of CDS has increased from 20% in 2004 to 60% in 2008. Among CDS users, the average size of CDS positions (measured by their notional values)...

This paper presents in a systematic (normative) manner the salient features of a SWF‘s governance structure, in relation to its objectives and investment management that can ensure its efficient operation and enhance its financial performance. In this context, it distinguishes among the...

For the last forty years, the world has changed dramatically. The Bretton Woods system's collapsed, energy crisis emerged, the Berlin's wall fell, technology transformed our life and massive deregulation changed the face of the world. But somehow, the way of multi asset class is understood...