Do Exchange Traded Funds in India Have Tracking and Pricing Efficiency?

The study investigates tracking and pricing efficiencies of selected exchange traded funds (ETFs) in India. The study applies different methods of determining tracking errors to assess tracking abilities of ETF managers; the average absolute differences as well as the standard deviation of differences between ETF returns and benchmark returns and standard errors from the regression of ETF returns against the benchmark. The study further uses Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) to examine the lead lag relationship between Net Asset Values (NAVs) and market prices of ETFs and pricing efficiency. ICICI Prudential Sensex ETF exhibits the highest tracking error and Aditya Birla Sun Life Nifty ETF shows the lowest tracking error. NAVs lead their respective market prices indicating huge scope for arbitrage opportunities to authorized participants. Persistence in the deviation between NAVs and market prices is prevalent for longer period, indicating inefficient price discovery mechanism of Indian ETF market. The study confirms market inefficiency in Indian ETF market.The existing literature on tracking and pricing efficiencies of ETF is largely with respect to advanced countries. There is a limited evidence of such studies in Indian context. Hence, the study adds to the literature by examining the efficient market hypothesis in Indian ETF market in terms of tracking and pricing efficiencies. The study reveals the presence of inefficient price discovery and the scope for arbitrage. This may be due to low level of trading activity and inefficient arbitrage mechanism in India. Hence, it is the need of the hour that Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and stock exchanges should take necessary initiatives to improve trading activity in ETFs and thereby to achieve market efficiency.