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Learning about individual managers’ performance in UK pension funds: The importance of specialization

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  • Alda, Mercedes
  • Andreu, Laura
  • Sarto, José Luis

Abstract

This study examines the performance of managers over time, as well as its persistence, taking into account both manager characteristics and market conditions. Applying parametric and non-parametric methodologies, we examine a sample of UK equity pension fund managers. Our results help to understand the importance of manager assignments in the industry and reveal the importance and benefits of management specialization. We find certain manager performance persistence, revealing that some managers are better than others and possess superior investment skills. Additionally, we find that managers achieve better results when they run a single fund or one investment-objective funds, which allows managers to focus on specific tasks. Nonetheless, manager performance varies with market conditions and highlights managers’ different skills. Specialist managers perform better in bullish markets, and generalists perform better in bearish periods.

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  • Alda, Mercedes & Andreu, Laura & Sarto, José Luis, 2017. "Learning about individual managers’ performance in UK pension funds: The importance of specialization," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 654-667.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecofin:v:42:y:2017:i:c:p:654-667
    DOI: 10.1016/j.najef.2017.09.006
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    Cited by:

    1. Mercedes Alda, 2021. "Managers beyond borders: side-by-side management in mutual funds and pension funds," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(2), pages 399-436, February.
    2. Alda, Mercedes & Vicente, Ruth, 2020. "Behavioural analysis of socially responsible investment managers: specialists versus non-specialists," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    3. Jitmaneeroj, Boonlert, 2023. "Time-varying fund manager skills of socially responsible investing (SRI) funds in developed and emerging markets," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Generalist managers; Pension funds; Performance; Persistence; Specialist managers;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G10 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors

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