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Closed-End Country Funds and International Diversification

Author

Listed:
  • Andreas Charitou

    (University of Cyprus, Cyprus)

  • Andreas Makris

    (University of Cyprus, Cyprus)

  • George P. Nishiotis

    (University of Cyprus, Cyprus)

Abstract

Using data from 1993 to 2002 for eight developed and fifteen emerging markets, we find that return correlations, mean-variance spanning, and Sharpe ratio tests support that closed-end country funds (CECF) can mimic their corresponding foreign indices, and that they are more heavily influenced by their corresponding local markets instead of the U.S. market. This implies that U.S. investors, by investing in CECF, can achieve similar international diversification benefits to those achieved by investing directly in the foreign indices. We also document increased correlation between the U.S. market and foreign markets during this period and find no compelling evidence of economically and statistically significant international diversification benefits, as opposed to a pre 1993 period. These findings could be associated with the financial market liberalization that was prevalent during the period.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas Charitou & Andreas Makris & George P. Nishiotis, 2006. "Closed-End Country Funds and International Diversification," Multinational Finance Journal, Multinational Finance Journal, vol. 10(3-4), pages 251-276, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:mfj:journl:v:10:y:2006:i:3-4:p:251-276
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Basu, Anup K. & Huang-Jones, Jason, 2015. "The performance of diversified emerging market equity funds," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 116-131.
    2. Robert Faff & Annette Nguyen & Bonnie H.I. Ip & Philip Gharghori, 2012. "Return-based Style Analysis in Australian Funds," Multinational Finance Journal, Multinational Finance Journal, vol. 16(3-4), pages 155-188, September.
    3. O'Hagan-Luff, Martha & Berrill, Jenny, 2015. "Why stay-at-home investing makes sense," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 1-14.
    4. Lahr, Henry & Kaserer, Christoph, 2009. "Net asset value discounts in listed private equity funds," CEFS Working Paper Series 2009-12, Technische Universität München (TUM), Center for Entrepreneurial and Financial Studies (CEFS).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    closed-end country funds; international diversification; emerging markets; liberalization; spanning tests;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets

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