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Hedge fund politics and portfolios

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  • DeVault, Luke
  • Sias, Richard

Abstract

Consistent with the well-documented relation between political orientation and psychological traits, hedge funds’ political orientations are related to their portfolio decisions. Relative to politically conservative hedge funds, politically liberal hedge funds exhibit a preference for smaller stocks, less mature companies, volatile stocks, unprofitable companies, non-dividend paying companies, and lottery-type securities. Politically liberal hedge funds are also more likely to enter new positions or fully exit existing positions, and make larger adjustments to their U.S. equity market exposure. Our results suggest that psychological characteristics can influence the portfolio decisions of even those at the very top of the financial sophistication ladder.

Suggested Citation

  • DeVault, Luke & Sias, Richard, 2017. "Hedge fund politics and portfolios," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 80-97.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:75:y:2017:i:c:p:80-97
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2016.10.011
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    Cited by:

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    4. Congming Mu & Jingzhou Yan & Jinqiang Yang, 2023. "Robust risk choice under high-water mark contract," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 61(1), pages 295-322, July.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Psychology; Political orientation; Hedge funds; Portfolio decisions;
    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

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