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Mutual fund selection and performance persistence in 401(k) Plans

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  • Chen, Hsuan-Chi
  • Lai, Christine W.
  • Wu, Sheng-Ching

Abstract

We examine how plan sponsors/providers select mutual funds for 401(k) plans and whether performance persistence exists for mutual funds listed in 401(k) plans. Using a hand-collected data set of 401(k) investment options, we find that plan sponsors are likely to choose actively managed growth funds, including aggressive growth funds and long-term growth funds. Furthermore, more than 50% of the mutual funds in our sample of 401(k) plans are selected from the top 10 fund families in terms of total net assets. On average, plan sponsors select funds that outperform the funds with the same investment objective and that have low expense ratios. The performance of mutual funds in 401(k) plans only persists in a short horizon. Our analysis indicates that the menus of 401(k) investment options do not exhibit a signaling effect, indicating that investment options in 401(k) plans do not supply useful information about the future performance of mutual funds for investors in selecting mutual funds.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Hsuan-Chi & Lai, Christine W. & Wu, Sheng-Ching, 2016. "Mutual fund selection and performance persistence in 401(k) Plans," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 78-100.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecofin:v:35:y:2016:i:c:p:78-100
    DOI: 10.1016/j.najef.2015.10.004
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    Cited by:

    1. Stafylas, Dimitrios & Andrikopoulos, Athanasios & Tolikas, Konstantinos, 2023. "Hedge fund performance persistence under different business cycles and stock market regimes," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    2. Nurul Wahyuni Wulandari & Zaenal Arifin, 2021. "Performance of Equity Mutual Fund in Indonesia: The Effect of Mutual Fund and Macroeconomic Factors," International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI), vol. 8(2), pages 105-111, February.
    3. Meena Sharma & Manish Didwania & D. Suresh Kumar, 2019. "Performance Evaluation of Banks Sponsored Mutual Funds: An Analytical Study," Paradigm, , vol. 23(2), pages 197-218, December.
    4. Xunan Feng & Kam C. Chan, 2019. "Mutual funds’ selective participation and subsequent performance of seasoned equity offerings," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 56(6), pages 1797-1822, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    401(k) plans; Mutual funds; Performance persistence;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors
    • J26 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Retirement; Retirement Policies

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