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Information Costs and Mutual Fund Flows

Author

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  • Engström, Stefan

    (Dept. of Finance, Stockholm School of Economics)

  • Westerberg, Anna

    (National Social Insurance Board)

Abstract

This paper examines how investor and capital flows into mutual funds in the Swedish pension system are related to fund characteristics. Similarly to U.S. studies, we show that individuals chase past returns and have a strong preference for lower-fee funds. However, our results suggest that past returns are less important than previous studies suggest. A more important determinant of fund inflows is information costs. For instance, foreign-based funds with a track record similar to that of domestic funds attract fewer investors and receive less capital. Moreover, new funds without a track record also receive lower inflows.

Suggested Citation

  • Engström, Stefan & Westerberg, Anna, 2004. "Information Costs and Mutual Fund Flows," SSE/EFI Working Paper Series in Economics and Finance 555, Stockholm School of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:hastef:0555
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Gimeno, Ruth & Andreu, Laura & Sarto, José Luis, 2022. "Fund trading divergence and performance contribution," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Flows; Information; Pension System; Portfolio Choice;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors
    • H55 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Social Security and Public Pensions

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