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Regulating cash holdings: Assessing lost returns in mutual funds✰

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  • Ben-Rubi, Shoham
  • Mugerman, Yevgeny
  • Wiener, Zvi

Abstract

Mutual funds have traditionally attracted retail investors seeking diversified market exposure. While the focus has historically been on asset liquidity and quality, recent attention has turned to assessing fund liquidity and the risks of asset fire sales. Our study analyzes Israeli mutual funds’ daily holdings and flows over an extensive eight-year period, revealing a significant issue: fund managers tend to maintain excessive cash levels, burdening the industry by more than 2 % of assets under management (AUM). These findings highlight the urgency of implementing advanced liquidity management tools to navigate redemption risks effectively. Moreover, our research stresses the need for flexible, market-oriented regulations and enhanced industry transparency. By establishing liquidity risk management guidelines, regulators can optimize investor returns and mitigate potential systemic risks associated with cash allocations in mutual funds.

Suggested Citation

  • Ben-Rubi, Shoham & Mugerman, Yevgeny & Wiener, Zvi, 2024. "Regulating cash holdings: Assessing lost returns in mutual funds✰," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 62(PB).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:62:y:2024:i:pb:s1544612324002563
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2024.105226
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    1. Bin Li & Yifan Xu & Miaodi Han, 2025. "ESG Rating Uncertainty and Excess Cash Holdings: Evidence From China," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 65(4), pages 3518-3545, December.

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    JEL classification:

    • G18 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors
    • G41 - Financial Economics - - Behavioral Finance - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making in Financial Markets

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