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The Determinants of Household Risky Asset Holdings: Australian Evidence on Background Risk and Other Factors#

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Listed:
  • Buly A Cardak

    (School of Economics, La Trobe University)

  • Roger K. Wilkins

    (Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, University of Melbourne)

Abstract

We study the portfolio allocation decisions of Australian households using the relatively new Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey. We focus on household allocations to risky financial assets. Our empirical analysis considers a range of hypothesised determinants of these allocations. We find background risk factors posed by labour income uncertainty and health risk are important. Credit constraints and observed risk preferences play the expected role. A positive age gradient is identified for risky asset holdings and home-ownership is associated with greater risky asset holdings. A unifying theme for many of our empirical findings is the important role played by financial awareness and knowledge in determining risky asset holdings. Many non-stockholding households appear to lack the experience and financial literacy that might enable them to benefit from direct investment in stocks.

Suggested Citation

  • Buly A Cardak & Roger K. Wilkins, 2008. "The Determinants of Household Risky Asset Holdings: Australian Evidence on Background Risk and Other Factors#," Working Papers 2008.05, School of Economics, La Trobe University.
    • Handle: RePEc:trb:wpaper:2008.05
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Household Portfolios; Risky Asset Holdings; Background Risk; Credit Constraints; Financial Literacy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions

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