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The Network of U.S. Mutual Fund Investments: Diversification, Similarity and Fragility throughout the Global Financial Crisis

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  • Danilo Delpini
  • Stefano Battiston
  • Guido Caldarelli
  • Massimo Riccaboni

Abstract

Network theory proved recently to be useful in the quantification of many properties of financial systems. The analysis of the structure of investment portfolios is a major application since their eventual correlation and overlap impact the actual risk diversification by individual investors. We investigate the bipartite network of US mutual fund portfolios and their assets. We follow its evolution during the Global Financial Crisis and analyse the interplay between diversification, as understood in classical portfolio theory, and similarity of the investments of different funds. We show that, on average, portfolios have become more diversified and less similar during the crisis. However, we also find that large overlap is far more likely than expected from models of random allocation of investments. This indicates the existence of strong correlations between fund portfolio strategies. We introduce a simplified model of propagation of financial shocks, that we exploit to show that a systemic risk component origins from the similarity of portfolios. The network is still vulnerable after crisis because of this effect, despite the increase in the diversification of portfolios. Our results indicate that diversification may even increase systemic risk when funds diversify in the same way. Diversification and similarity can play antagonistic roles and the trade-off between the two should be taken into account to properly assess systemic risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Danilo Delpini & Stefano Battiston & Guido Caldarelli & Massimo Riccaboni, 2018. "The Network of U.S. Mutual Fund Investments: Diversification, Similarity and Fragility throughout the Global Financial Crisis," Papers 1801.02205, arXiv.org.
  • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:1801.02205
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Caldarelli, Guido, 2007. "Scale-Free Networks: Complex Webs in Nature and Technology," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199211517.
    2. Michael D. Hurd & Susann Rohwedder, 2010. "Effects of the Financial Crisis and Great Recession on American Households," NBER Working Papers 16407, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Michael D. Hurd & Susann Rohwedder, 2010. "Effects of the Financial Crisis and Great Recession on American Households," NBER Working Papers 16407, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Cathline Augustiani & Lorenzo Casavecchia & Jack Gray, 2015. "Managerial Sharing, Mutual Fund Connections, and Performance," International Review of Finance, International Review of Finance Ltd., vol. 15(3), pages 427-455, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jaime F. Lavin & Mauricio A. Valle & Nicolás S. Magner, 2019. "Modeling Overlapped Mutual Funds’ Portfolios: A Bipartite Network Approach," Complexity, Hindawi, vol. 2019, pages 1-20, July.
    2. Shan Lu & Jichang Zhao & Huiwen Wang, 2018. "The Power of Trading Polarity: Evidence from China Stock Market Crash," Papers 1802.01143, arXiv.org.
    3. Gimeno, Ruth & Andreu, Laura & Sarto, José Luis, 2022. "Fund trading divergence and performance contribution," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    4. D'Arcangelis, Anna Maria & Rotundo, Giulia, 2021. "Herding in mutual funds: A complex network approach," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 679-686.

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