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Evidence On The Performance Of Country Index Funds In Global Financial Crisis

Author

Listed:
  • Ilhan Meric
  • Christine Lentz
  • Wayne Smeltz
  • Gulser Meric

Abstract

During the October 9, 2007-March 9, 2009 period, the U.S. stock market experienced the worst bear market in its history since the Great Depression. Empirical studies show that exchange-traded country index funds can provide portfolio diversification benefits to investors in bull markets. However, they may not be good investment opportunities in bear markets. In this paper, we demonstrate that most country index funds had worse performance than the U.S. S&P 500 Index and they provided little or no diversification benefits to U.S. investors during the October 9, 2007-March 9, 2009 bear market.

Suggested Citation

  • Ilhan Meric & Christine Lentz & Wayne Smeltz & Gulser Meric, 2010. "Evidence On The Performance Of Country Index Funds In Global Financial Crisis," The International Journal of Business and Finance Research, The Institute for Business and Finance Research, vol. 4(4), pages 89-101.
    • Handle: RePEc:ibf:ijbfre:v:4:y:2010:i:4:p:89-101
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    6. Wang, Jia & Meric, Gulser & Liu, Zugang & Meric, Ilhan, 2009. "Stock market crashes, firm characteristics, and stock returns," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 33(9), pages 1563-1574, September.
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    8. Pan, Ming-Shiun & Chan, Kam c & Wright, David J, 2001. "Divergent Expectations and the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997," Journal of Financial Research, Southern Finance Association;Southwestern Finance Association, vol. 24(2), pages 219-238, Summer.
    9. Nikkinen, Jussi & Omran, Mohammad M. & Sahlstrom, Petri & Aijo, Janne, 2008. "Stock returns and volatility following the September 11 attacks: Evidence from 53 equity markets," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 17(1), pages 27-46.
    10. Meric, Ilhan & Ratner, Mitchell & Meric, Gulser, 2008. "Co-movements of sector index returns in the world's major stock markets in bull and bear markets: Portfolio diversification implications," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 17(1), pages 156-177.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Financial crisis; bear market; country index funds; Sharpe and Treynor portfolio performance measures; principal components analysis; portfolio diversification;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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