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Who Is Internationally Diversified? Evidence from 296 401(k) Plans

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  • Geert Bekaert
  • Kenton Hoyem
  • Wei-Yin Hu
  • Enrichetta Ravina

Abstract

We examine the international equity allocations of over 3 million individuals in 296 401(k) plans over the 2006-2011 period. These allocations show enormous cross-individual variation, ranging between zero and over 75 percent, as well as an upward trend that is only partially accounted for by the slight decrease in importance of the U.S. market relative to the world market. International equity allocations also display strong cohort effects, with younger cohorts investing more internationally than older ones, but also each cohort investing more internationally over time. This finding suggests that the home bias phenomenon may slowly disappear over time. Worker’s salary has a positive effect on international allocations, while account balance has a negative one, but these effects are not economically large. Education, financial literacy, and the fraction of foreign-born population measured at the zip code level have strong positive effects on international diversification, consistent with familiarity and information stories. In addition, states with more exports have higher international allocations.

Suggested Citation

  • Geert Bekaert & Kenton Hoyem & Wei-Yin Hu & Enrichetta Ravina, 2014. "Who Is Internationally Diversified? Evidence from 296 401(k) Plans," Working Papers, Center for Retirement Research at Boston College wp2014-14, Center for Retirement Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:crr:crrwps:wp2014-14
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    Cited by:

    1. Ariadna Dumitrescu & Javier Gil-Bazo, 2015. "Familiarity and competition: the case of mutual funds," Economics Working Papers 1474, Department of Economics and Business, Universitat Pompeu Fabra.
    2. Oehler, Andreas & Wendt, Stefan & Horn, Matthias, 2017. "Are investors really home-biased when investing at home?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 52-60.

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