Journal articles
Year
2013
Abstract
We use a new data set to study the determinants of the performance of open–end actively
managed equity mutual funds in 27 countries. We find that mutual funds underperform the market
overall. The results show important differences in the determinants of fund performance in the USA
and elsewhere in the world. The US evidence of diminishing returns to scale is not a universal truth as
the performance of funds located outside the USA and funds that invest overseas is not negatively
affected by scale. Our findings suggest that the adverse scale effects in the USA are related to liquidity
constraints faced by funds that, by virtue of their style, have to invest in small and domestic stocks.
Country characteristics also explain fund performance. Funds located in countries with liquid stock
markets and strong legal institutions display better performance.
RAMOS, S., FERREIRA, M., KESWANI, A. et MIGUEL, A. (2013). The determinants of mutual fund performance: a cross-country study. Review of Finance (ex European Finance Review), 17(2), pp. 483-525.