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Fundamental indexation revisited: New evidence on alpha

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  • Balatti, Mirco
  • Brooks, Chris
  • Kappou, Konstantina

Abstract

This study proposes indexing strategies representative of the equity market and based on readily available accounting information. In contrast to the previous literature, we discard balance sheet variables and instead develop two indices that revolve solely around income statement and dividend measures. We find that these indices outperformed the FTSE 100 by 3% on an annual basis over the last 25years, whilst delivering similar or lower volatility. The constructed indices overlap by 90% with the FTSE 100, in terms of their total market capitalisation and constituent members. They have positive and significant alphas in 3- and 4-factor performance attribution models, showing that the performance cannot be explained by value, size, market beta or momentum tilts alone.

Suggested Citation

  • Balatti, Mirco & Brooks, Chris & Kappou, Konstantina, 2017. "Fundamental indexation revisited: New evidence on alpha," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 1-15.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finana:v:51:y:2017:i:c:p:1-15
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irfa.2017.02.010
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    2. Rahman, Md Lutfur & Troster, Victor & Uddin, Gazi Salah & Yahya, Muhammad, 2022. "Systemic risk contribution of banks and non-bank financial institutions across frequencies: The Australian experience," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    3. Yongli Li & Tianchen Wang & Baiqing Sun & Chao Liu, 2022. "Detecting the lead–lag effect in stock markets: definition, patterns, and investment strategies," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 8(1), pages 1-36, December.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Indexing; Passive investing; Fundamentally weighted index; Market capitalisation weighted index; Noise in price;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions

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