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What is mutual fund flow?

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  • Cumming, Douglas
  • Johan, Sofia
  • Zhang, Yelin

Abstract

Distinguishing between switches, pre-authorized contributions, systematic withdrawal plans, reinvestments, and distributions, we find that different types of fund flow exhibit distinct characteristics to retail fund flow with respect to fund fees and past performance. We argue that the positive correlation between retail fund inflow and switch-out reflects information asymmetry between incoming investors and current unitholders. This information asymmetry is more common when fund series are sold through dealers or brokers. We further show that this information asymmetry, attributed to biased purchase advice, is negatively associated with fund performance. A large sample of proprietary data from 2003 to 2014 support our findings, including but not limited to results from funds that invest only in the US, and funds that invest worldwide.

Suggested Citation

  • Cumming, Douglas & Johan, Sofia & Zhang, Yelin, 2019. "What is mutual fund flow?," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 222-251.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:intfin:v:62:y:2019:i:c:p:222-251
    DOI: 10.1016/j.intfin.2019.07.003
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    3. Hammouda, Amira & Saeed, Asif & Vidal, Marta & Vidal-García, Javier, 2023. "On the short-term persistence of mutual fund performance in Europe," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    4. You, Yu & Yu, Zongdai & Zhang, Wenqiao & Lu, Lei, 2023. "FinTech platforms and mutual fund markets," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    5. Jiang, Jinglin & Nanda, Vikram & Xiao, Steven Chong, 2021. "Stock-market disruptions and corporate disclosure policies," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    6. Chen, Jie & Lasfer, Meziane & Song, Wei & Zhou, Si, 2021. "Recession managers and mutual fund performance," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    7. Meryem Mehri & M. Kabir Hassan & M. Fasial Safa & Ibrahim Siraj, 2021. "Do determinants of fees differ between Islamic and conventional funds?," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 26(3), pages 3599-3623, July.
    8. Cumming, Douglas & Monteiro, Pedro, 2022. "Hedge fund sales fees and the flow of funds around the world," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    9. Zhang, Ning & Zhang, Yue & Zong, Zhe, 2023. "Fund ESG performance and downside risk: Evidence from China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    10. Zalewska, Anna (Ania) & Zhang, Yue, 2020. "Mutual funds' exits, financial crisis and Darwin," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Mutual fund flows; Mutual fund returns; Trailer fees; Information asymmetry;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General

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