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Empirical Evaluation of Investor Rationality in the Asset Allocation Puzzle

Author

Listed:
  • Oussama Chakroun
  • Georges Dionne
  • Amélie Dugas-Sampara

Abstract

We examine the portfolio-choice puzzle posed by Canner, Mankiw, and Weil (1997). The idea is to test a conclusion reached by Elton and Gruber (2000), stating that a bonds/stocks ratio which decreases in relation to risk tolerance does not necessarily mean a contradiction of modern portfolio-choice theory and does not cast doubt on the rationality of investors. From data on the portfolio composition of 470 clients of a Canadian brokerage firm, we obtain that the bonds/stocks ratio does decrease in relation to risk tolerance. We also verify the existence of the two-fund separation theorem in the assets data available to the investors in our sample.

Suggested Citation

  • Oussama Chakroun & Georges Dionne & Amélie Dugas-Sampara, 2006. "Empirical Evaluation of Investor Rationality in the Asset Allocation Puzzle," Cahiers de recherche 0635, CIRPEE.
    • Handle: RePEc:lvl:lacicr:0635
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Investor rationality; asset allocation puzzle; risk tolerance; separation theorem; bonds/stocks ratio;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C13 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Estimation: General
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • D80 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - General
    • 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

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