Prior Performance and Risk-Taking of Mutual Fund Managers: A Dynamic Bayesian Network Approach

39 Pages Posted: 23 Jan 2009

See all articles by Manuel Ammann

Manuel Ammann

University of St. Gallen - School of Finance

Michael Verhofen

University of St. Gallen - Swiss Institute of Banking and Finance

Date Written: October 2006

Abstract

We analyze the behavior of mutual fund managers with a special focus on the impact of prior performance. In contrast to previous studies, we do not solely focus on the volatility as a measure of risk, but also consider alternative definitions of risk and style. Using a Dynamic Bayesian Network, we are able to capture non-linear effects and to assign exact probabilities to the mutual fund managers' adjustment of behavior. In contrast to theoretical predictions and some existing studies, we find that prior performance has a positive impact on the choice of the risk level, i.e., successful fund managers take more risk in the following calendar year. In particular, they increase the volatility, the beta and the tracking error and assign a higher proportion of their portfolio to value stocks, small firms and momentum stocks. Overall, poor performing fund managers switch to passive strategies.

Keywords: Mutual Funds, Risk Taking, Dynamic Bayesian Network

JEL Classification: G21

Suggested Citation

Ammann, Manuel and Verhofen, Michael, Prior Performance and Risk-Taking of Mutual Fund Managers: A Dynamic Bayesian Network Approach (October 2006). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1322280 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1322280

Manuel Ammann

University of St. Gallen - School of Finance ( email )

Unterer Graben 21
St.Gallen, CH-9000
Switzerland

Michael Verhofen (Contact Author)

University of St. Gallen - Swiss Institute of Banking and Finance ( email )

CH-9000
Switzerland

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