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Tactical Asset Allocation: Australian Evidence

Author

Listed:
  • Robert Faff

    (Department of Accounting and Finance, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800.)

  • David R. Gallagher

    (School of Banking and Finance, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.)

  • Eliza Wu

    (School of Banking and Finance, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.)

Abstract

This paper evaluates the tactical asset allocation (TAA) capabilities, strategies and behaviour of Australian investment managers who invest assets across multiple asset classes. Specifically, we analyse the behaviour of balanced, growth and capital-stable fund managers with regard to their asset allocation activity across defensive (cash, domestic bonds, overseas bonds) and growth (domestic equities, international equities, property) asset classes, over the period December 1989 to February 2001. Overall, our evidence suggests that active managers have been unable to deliver investors with superior returns through tactical asset allocation. While the most successful asset class, domestic equities, has been value-enhancing, international shares and domestic fixed interest have generally detracted value. Finally, across all asset classes examined, our findings suggest that asset allocation into domestic equities is the most influenced by public economic information variables, with short-term interest rates, the term structure and dividend yield all having a significant explanatory role.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Faff & David R. Gallagher & Eliza Wu, 2005. "Tactical Asset Allocation: Australian Evidence," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 30(2), pages 261-282, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ausman:v:30:y:2005:i:2:p:261-282
    DOI: 10.1177/031289620503000205
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Terrence Hallahan & Robert Faff, 2001. "Induced persistence or reversals in fund performance?: the effect of survivorship bias," Applied Financial Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(2), pages 119-126.
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael E. .Drew, 2006. "Superannuation: Switching and Roulette Wheels," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 16(40), pages 23-31, November.
    2. Eduardo Roca & Victor Wong, 2008. "An analysis of the sensitivity of Australian superannuation funds to market movements: a Markov regime switching approach," Applied Financial Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(7), pages 583-597.
    3. Kathryn Holmes & Robert Faff & Iain Clacher, 2010. "Style analysis and dominant index timing: an application to Australian multi-sector managed funds," Applied Financial Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(4), pages 293-301.
    4. Humphrey, Jacquelyn E. & Benson, Karen L. & Low, Rand K.Y. & Lee, Wei-Lun, 2015. "Is diversification always optimal?," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 35(PB), pages 521-532.
    5. Adam Butt & M. Scott Donald & F. Douglas Foster & Susan Thorp & Geoffrey J. Warren & Tom Smith, 2017. "Design of MySuper default funds: influences and outcomes," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 57(1), pages 47-85, March.
    6. Victor Soucik & David E. Allen, 2006. "Benchmarking Australian fixed interest fund performance: finding the optimal factors," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 46(5), pages 865-898, December.
    7. Le, Anh & Yin, Xiangkang & Zhao, Jing, 2019. "Informed trading around earnings announcements in Australia," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    8. Robert Faff & Annette Nguyen & Bonnie H.I. Ip & Philip Gharghori, 2012. "Return-based Style Analysis in Australian Funds," Multinational Finance Journal, Multinational Finance Journal, vol. 16(3-4), pages 155-188, September.

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