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Are U.S. investors blindly chasing returns in foreign countries?

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  • Guo, Liang

Abstract

This paper shows that the positive relation between U.S. cross-border flows and past foreign performance is observed in many stock markets but is ambiguous in bond markets. However, bond flows positively respond to past foreign stock returns. I argue that the importance of past foreign stock returns in driving U.S. investors' equity and bond flows is more likely because those returns reflect foreign fundamentals that are valuable to both U.S. equity and bond investors. I also provide additional evidences, which lead to my conclusion that U.S. investors' international trading is not simply driven by return chasing, but rather, foreign fundamentals.

Suggested Citation

  • Guo, Liang, 2016. "Are U.S. investors blindly chasing returns in foreign countries?," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 309-334.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:reveco:v:41:y:2016:i:c:p:309-334
    DOI: 10.1016/j.iref.2015.08.002
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cross-border fund flows; Return chasing; Informed investors;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets

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