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Currency Management by International Fixed‐Income Mutual Funds

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  • CLEMENS SIALM
  • QIFEI ZHU

Abstract

Investments in international fixed‐income securities are exposed to significant currency risks. We collect novel data on currency derivatives used by U.S. international fixed‐income funds. We document that while 90% of funds use currency forwards, they hedge, on average, only 18% of their currency exposure. Funds' currency forward positions differ substantially based on risk management demands related to portfolio currency exposure, return‐enhancement motives such as currency momentum and carry trade, and strategic considerations related to past performance and fund clientele. Funds that hedge their currency risk exhibit lower return variability, but do not generate inferior abnormal returns.

Suggested Citation

  • Clemens Sialm & Qifei Zhu, 2024. "Currency Management by International Fixed‐Income Mutual Funds," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 79(6), pages 4037-4081, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jfinan:v:79:y:2024:i:6:p:4037-4081
    DOI: 10.1111/jofi.13381
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    Cited by:

    1. Sergio Florez-Orrego & Matteo Maggiori & Jesse Schreger & Ziwen Sun & Serdil Tinda, 2024. "Global Capital Allocation," Annual Review of Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 16(1), pages 623-653, August.
    2. Eugenio Cerutti & Haonan Zhou, 2024. "Uncovering CIP Deviations in Emerging Markets: Distinctions, Determinants, and Disconnect," IMF Economic Review, Palgrave Macmillan;International Monetary Fund, vol. 72(1), pages 196-252, March.
    3. Jing Chen & Junxiong Fang & Chunqiu Zhang & Yi Zhou, 2023. "Homemade international diversification under economic policy uncertainty," Journal of Financial Research, Southern Finance Association;Southwestern Finance Association, vol. 46(1), pages 31-62, February.
    4. Graziano, Marco & Habib, Maurizio Michael, 2024. "Mutual funds and safe government bonds: do returns matter?," Working Paper Series 2931, European Central Bank.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F21 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Investment; Long-Term Capital Movements
    • F31 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Foreign Exchange
    • F34 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - International Lending and Debt Problems
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G13 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Contingent Pricing; Futures Pricing
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill

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