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International investment positions revisited: Investor heterogeneity and individual security characteristics

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  • Martijn A. Boermans
  • Robert Vermeulen

Abstract

This paper contributes to the literature by empirically documenting the importance of investor heterogeneity and security level characteristics for international investment positions. We estimate a standard gravity model to explain holdings in individual bonds and stocks for euro area investors covering 2013Q4–2018Q4. First, our results confirm the importance of market size and distance, but there are significant differences between banks, insurance companies and pension funds, investment funds, households and other investors. Second, we show the statistical significance and economic relevance of security characteristics such as currency, bond maturity and dividend yield. Third, the results are robust to including domestic holdings.

Suggested Citation

  • Martijn A. Boermans & Robert Vermeulen, 2020. "International investment positions revisited: Investor heterogeneity and individual security characteristics," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(2), pages 466-496, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:reviec:v:28:y:2020:i:2:p:466-496
    DOI: 10.1111/roie.12460
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    2. Boermans, Martijn A. & Burger, John D., 2023. "Fickle emerging market flows, stable euros, and the dollar risk factor," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    3. Martijn Boermans, 2023. "Preferred habitat investors in the green bond market," Working Papers 773, DNB.
    4. Martijn Boermans & Bram van der Kroft, 2020. "Capital regulation induced reaching for systematic yield: Financial instability through fire sales," Working Papers 673, DNB.
    5. Kliatskova, Tatsiana & Savatier, Loïc Baptiste & Schmidt, Michael, 2023. "Insolvency regimes and cross-border investment decisions," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    6. Pelizzon, Loriana & Riedel, Max & Simon, Zorka & Subrahmanyam, Marti G., 2024. "Collateral eligibility of corporate debt in the Eurosystem," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    7. Martijn Boermans, 2022. "A literature review of securities holdings statistics research and a practitioner’s guide," Working Papers 757, DNB.

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