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Timing is money: The factor timing ability of hedge fund managers

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  • Osinga, Albert Jakob
  • Schauten, Marc B.J.
  • Zwinkels, Remco C.J.

Abstract

This paper studies the level, determinants, and implications of the factor timing ability of hedge fund managers. We find that approximately 34% of hedge funds display factor timing ability on at least one factor over the full sample, concentrated especially at the market, size, and bond factors. Better factor timing skills are on average related to funds that are more experienced and more flexible, but the cross-factor heterogeneity is considerable. Factor timing is associated with outperformance; the top factor timing funds outperform the bottom factor timing funds with a significant 4.32% per annum. Timing skills, though, do not directly lead to higher net flow.

Suggested Citation

  • Osinga, Albert Jakob & Schauten, Marc B.J. & Zwinkels, Remco C.J., 2021. "Timing is money: The factor timing ability of hedge fund managers," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 266-281.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:empfin:v:62:y:2021:i:c:p:266-281
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jempfin.2021.04.007
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    Cited by:

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    2. Ma, Tianyi & Li, Baibing & Tee, Kai-Hong, 2022. "Mispricing chasing and hedge fund returns," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 34-49.
    3. Ming, Lei & Song, Wuqi & Dong, Minyi, 2023. "Revisiting time series momentum in China's commodity futures market: Evidence on sources of momentum profits," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Hedge funds; Factor investing; Factor timing;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions

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