We use a holdings-based attribution model to disaggregate the benchmark-adjusted returns to U.S. equity mutual funds into components that reflect persistent segment tilts, the timing of segment returns, and stock selection relative to their benchmarks. We find that large-cap funds add value by...

We empirically investigate the investment results of commonly used fund selection strategies that involve redeploying assets from underperforming to outperforming funds. Based on portfolios constructed using U.S. mutual fund data over typical three-year evaluation periods, we find that investors...

It is well established that stocks with lower price fluctuations tend to outperform riskier ones. This article reviews plausible explanations for the low volatility anomaly and reproduce the performance of low volatility strategies in different market environments as well as in different...

The active shares of traditional value style indexes are dominated by industry bets. They also capture less than the entire value premium; because they weight constituents on the basis of capitalization, they tend to hold large positions in overpriced stocks and small positions in underpriced...

Twenty years ago there were only five equity factors (market, value, small-cap, momentum, and low beta). Today the literature contains research papers on hundreds of supposed factors, most of which will not produce a reliable positive premium in the future. Rather than adopting a statistical...

For investors, one question stands above all others: “How do we identify outperforming managers?” Every year, institutional investors issue hundreds of RFPs seeking managers to replace those who have underperformed. In aggregate, asset owners and investment consultants spend vast amounts of...

Both investor contributions and investment returns determine retirement plan outcomes, but they have distinctive effects over the investor's lifecycle. Focusing on target-date funds (TDFs) in 401(k) plans, our research demonstrates that in the early stage, contributions are the primary...