Finance theory suggests that risk and return are essential
elements in selecting investments. Utility theory further suggests
that understanding the risk and return of mutual funds is
crucial to investors in order to maximize the investors’ satisfaction
(utility) with an investment.
Many mutual funds exist from which investors can choose in
building their investment portfolio. Practitioners often assist
with the selection process by ascertaining the investors risk
tolerance and then providing hypothetical investment results of
suitable mutual funds that illustrate the return of various investment
options. Investors then use the hypothetical investment
results to compare the returns that would have been
achieved if an investment had been made in the selected funds.
This approach provides the investors with a benchmark that
they can use to assess the relative performance of their investments.
The above approach is suitable if the investment objectives
properly convey risk as suggested by Sharpe (1966) and Klemkosky
(1976). However, for investment objectives to properly
convey risk, the objectives must be systematically related to a
quantitative measure of risk such as beta or volatility. Also, risk
must be homogeneous within investment objective and heterogeneous
between classes. However, if the risks of funds within
an investment objective class differ, comparing returns alone is
insufficient to make utility maximizing investment decisions.
Unfortunately, Najand and Prather (1999) reported that risk is
heterogeneous within investment objective groups. Therefore,
the practice of comparing returns does not appear optimal.
I extend the work of Najand and Prather (1999) to incorporate
the findings of Chordia (1996) that no-load fund portfolio
managers hold more cash to meet a higher level of uncertain
redemptions. This implies that systemic differences in risk between
load and no-load funds may occur. Malhotra and
McLeod (1997) also reported that load and no-load funds may
Finance theory suggests that risk and return are essentialelements in selecting investments. Utility theory further suggeststhat understanding the risk and return of mutual funds iscrucial to investors in order to maximize the investors’ satisfaction(utility) with an investment.Many mutual funds exist from which investors can choose inbuilding their investment portfolio. Practitioners often assistwith the selection process by ascertaining the investors risktolerance and then providing hypothetical investment results ofsuitable mutual funds that illustrate the return of various investmentoptions. Investors then use the hypothetical investmentresults to compare the returns that would have beenachieved if an investment had been made in the selected funds.This approach provides the investors with a benchmark thatthey can use to assess the relative performance of their investments.The above approach is suitable if the investment objectivesproperly convey risk as suggested by Sharpe (1966) and Klemkosky(1976). However, for investment objectives to properlyconvey risk, the objectives must be systematically related to aquantitative measure of risk such as beta or volatility. Also, riskmust be homogeneous within investment objective and heterogeneousbetween classes. However, if the risks of funds withinan investment objective class differ, comparing returns alone isinsufficient to make utility maximizing investment decisions.Unfortunately, Najand and Prather (1999) reported that risk isheterogeneous within investment objective groups. Therefore,the practice of comparing returns does not appear optimal.I extend the work of Najand and Prather (1999) to incorporatethe findings of Chordia (1996) that no-load fund portfoliomanagers hold more cash to meet a higher level of uncertainredemptions. This implies that systemic differences in risk betweenload and no-load funds may occur. Malhotra andMcLeod (1997) also reported that load and no-load funds may
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..
