The Value of Transaction Cost Forecasts: Another Source of Alpha

Journal of Investment Management, Vol. 5, No. 1, First Quarter 2007

Posted: 28 Mar 2007

See all articles by Mark Coppejans

Mark Coppejans

Barclays Global Investors; BlackRock, Inc

Ananth Madhavan

BlackRock, Inc.

Abstract

This article examines the impact of transaction costs on portfolio performance. Previous research on this topic has focused largely on post-trade considerations, i.e., the impact of realized transaction costs on investment performance. By contrast, we focus on pre-trade considerations, namely the impact of transaction costs on portfolio breadth, turnover, and expected returns. Although costs reduce the information ratio, improvements in transaction cost modeling can mitigate these effects by increasing skill and breadth. Transactions cost considerations also affect the choice of portfolio turnover. Greater turnover allows for more active bets, increasing breadth, but magnifies the impact of trading costs. Balancing these considerations yields an optimal turnover level. The analysis provides insights into the determinants of optimal fund capacity. We show that capacity problems are manifested gradually in the form of higher expected costs, reduced breadth, and lower turnover. Capacity is an elastic concept that is surprisingly responsive to even relatively modest gains in transaction cost control or forecasting ability. This suggests that fund managers can influence their capacity through investments in better execution research and technology.

Keywords: Transaction costs, trading, alpha, portfolio management

Suggested Citation

Coppejans, Mark T. and Coppejans, Mark T. and Madhavan, Ananth, The Value of Transaction Cost Forecasts: Another Source of Alpha. Journal of Investment Management, Vol. 5, No. 1, First Quarter 2007 , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=972184

Mark T. Coppejans (Contact Author)

Barclays Global Investors ( email )

45 Fremont Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
United States

BlackRock, Inc ( email )

San Francisco, CA
United States

Ananth Madhavan

BlackRock, Inc. ( email )

400 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
United States

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