Unexploited Gains from International Diversification: Patterns of Portfolio Holdings Around the World

77 Pages Posted: 27 Dec 2010 Last revised: 10 Jun 2023

See all articles by Tatiana Didier

Tatiana Didier

World Bank

Roberto Rigobon

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Sloan School of Management

Sergio L. Schmukler

World Bank - Development Research Group (DECRG)

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: December 2010

Abstract

This paper studies how portfolios with a global investment scope are actually allocated internationally using a unique micro dataset on U.S. equity mutual funds. While mutual funds have great flexibility to invest globally, they invest in a surprisingly limited number of stocks, around 100. The number of holdings in stocks and countries from a given region declines as the investment scope of funds broadens. This restrictive investment practice has costs. A mean-variance strategy shows unexploited gains from further international diversification. Mutual funds investing globally could achieve better risk-adjusted returns by broadening their asset allocation, including stocks held by more specialized funds within the same mutual fund family (company). This investment pattern is not explained by lack of information or instruments, transaction costs, or a better ability of global funds to minimize negative outcomes. Instead, industry practices related to organizational factors seem to play an important role.

Suggested Citation

Didier, Tatiana and Rigobon, Roberto and Schmukler, Sergio, Unexploited Gains from International Diversification: Patterns of Portfolio Holdings Around the World (December 2010). NBER Working Paper No. w16629, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1730577

Tatiana Didier (Contact Author)

World Bank ( email )

1818 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20433
United States
(202)458-1525 (Phone)

Roberto Rigobon

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Sloan School of Management ( email )

E52-447
Cambridge, MA 02142
United States
617-258-8374 (Phone)
617-258-6855 (Fax)

Sergio Schmukler

World Bank - Development Research Group (DECRG) ( email )

1818 H. Street, N.W.
MSN MC 3-301
Washington, DC 20433
United States
202-458-4167 (Phone)
202-522-3518 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.worldbank.org/en/about/people/s/sergio-schmukler

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
52
Abstract Views
1,188
Rank
329,180
PlumX Metrics