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Characterizing Asymmetric Information in International Equity Markets

Author

Listed:
  • Rui Albuquerque

    (Simon School of Business, University of Rochester)

  • Gregory Bauer

    (Bank of Canada)

  • Martin Schneider

    (New York University)

Abstract

This paper studies the international portfolio flows of US investors to examine the information structure of international equity markets. We use an empirical model of portfolio flows with both public and private information to extract measures of trades due to private information. We find that such trades are highly correlated across countries. In particular, a common 'global' factor accounts for about half of the variation in trades due to private information. We show that the global factor helps explain the cross section of international equity returns, after controlling for public information. The finding that a substantial portion of trades due to private information across countries contains the same common information challenges the conventional view that domestic investors have better private information about their home market than foreign investors.

Suggested Citation

  • Rui Albuquerque & Gregory Bauer & Martin Schneider, 2004. "Characterizing Asymmetric Information in International Equity Markets," International Finance 0405005, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwpif:0405005
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    Cited by:

    1. Albuquerque, Rui, 2003. "The composition of international capital flows: risk sharing through foreign direct investment," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 61(2), pages 353-383, December.
    2. Rui Albuquerque & Gregory Bauer & Martin Schneider, 2004. "International Equity Flows and Returns: A Quantitative Equilibrium Approach," International Finance 0405006, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Gregory Bauer & Clara Vega, 2004. "The Monetary Origins of Asymmetric Information in International Equity Markets," Staff Working Papers 04-47, Bank of Canada.
    4. Nuno C. Martins, 2003. "Asymmetry of Information in Emerging Markets: Should a Firm Issue its Securities Locally or Abroad?," Journal of Emerging Market Finance, Institute for Financial Management and Research, vol. 2(1), pages 1-40, January.
    5. Mr. Gaston Gelos, 2011. "International Mutual Funds, Capital Flow Volatility, and Contagion – A Survey," IMF Working Papers 2011/092, International Monetary Fund.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Private information; asymmetric information; portfolio choice; international equity flows and returns; home bias;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F36 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Financial Aspects of Economic Integration
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets

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