Skip to main content

Conditional performance evaluation

  • Reference work entry
  • 6325 Accesses

Abstract

Measures for evaluating the performance of a mutual fund or other managed portfolio are interpreted as the difference between the average return of the fund and that of an appropriate benchmark portfolio. Traditional measures use a fixed benchmark to match the average risk of the fund. Conditional performance measures use a dynamic strategy as the benchmark, matching the fund’s risk dynamics. The logic of this approach is explained, the models are described and the empirical evidence is reviewed.

Keywords

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (Canada)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   329.00
Price excludes VAT (Canada)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Admati, A. and Pfleiderer, P. (1997). “Performance benchmarks: Does it all add up?” Journal of Business, 70(3): 323–350.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  2. Admati, A., Bhattacharya, S., Ross, S., Pfleiderer, P. (1986). “On timing and selectivity.” Journal of Finance, 41: 715–730.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  3. Becker, C., Ferson, W., Myers, D. and M. Schill. (1999). “Conditional market timing with benchmark investors.” Journal of Financial Economics, 52: 119–148.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  4. Bhattacharya, S. and Pfleiderer, P. (1983). “A note on performance evaluation,” Technical Report 714, Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Busse, J. (1999). “Volatility timing in mutual funds: Evidence from daily returns.” Review of Financial Studies, 12(5): 1009–1041.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  6. Carpenter, J., Dybvig, P.H., and Farnsworth, H. (2000). “Portfolio performance and agency.” Working Paper, Washington University, St Louis.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Chang, E.C. and Lewellen, W.G. (1984). “Market timing and mutual fund investment performance.” Journal of Business, 57: 55–72.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  8. Chen, Y. (2003). “On conditional market timing of hedge fund managers.” Working Paper, Boston College.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Chen, Z. and Knez., P.J. (1996). “Portfolio performance measurement: theory and applications.” Review of Financial Studies, 9: 511–556.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  10. Chen, N-fu, Copeland T., and Mayers, D. (1987). “A comparison of single and multifactor performance methodologies.” Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, 224: 1–17.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Chen, Y., Ferson, F. and Peters, H. (2005). “Measuring the timing ability of fixed-income mutual funds.” Working Paper, Boston College

    Google Scholar 

  12. Christopherson, J.A., Ferson, W., and Glassman, D.A. (1998). “Conditioning manager alpha on economic information: another look at the persistence of performance.” Review of Financial Studies, 11: 111–142.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  13. Connor, G. and Korajczyk, R. (1986). “Performance measurement with the arbitrage pricing theory: A new framework for analysis.” Journal of Financial Economics, 15: 373–394.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  14. Copeland, T.E. and Mayers, M. (1982). “The value line enigma (1965–1978): A case study of performance evaluation issues.” Journal of Financial Economics, 10: 289–321.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  15. Cornell, B. (1979). “Asymmetric information and portfolio performance measurement.” Journal of Financial Economics, 7: 381–390.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  16. Cumby, R. and Glen, J. (1990). “Evaluating the performance of international mutual funds.” Journal of Finance, 45: 497–521.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  17. Dahlquist, M. and Soderlind, P. (1999). “Evaluating portfolio performance with stochastic discount factors.” Journal of Business, 72: 347–384.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  18. Fama, E. F. (1970). “Efficient capital markets: A review of theory and empirical work.” Journal of Finance, 25: 383–417.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  19. Farnsworth, H., Ferson, W., Jackson, D., and Todd, S. (2002). “Performance evaluation with stochastic discount factors.” Journal of Business, (July) 75:473–504.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  20. Ferson, W.E. and Khang, K. (2002). “Conditional performance measurement using portfolio weights: evidence for pension funds.” Journal of Financial Economics, 65: 249–282.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  21. Ferson, W. and Qian, M. (2004). “Conditional Performance Evaluation revisited,” Research Foundation Monograph. Charlottesville, VA: CFA Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Ferson, W. and Schadt, R. (1996). “Measuring fund strategy and performance in changing economic conditions.” Journal of Finance, 51: 425–462.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  23. Ferson, W. and Warther, V.A. (1996). “Evaluating fund performance in a dynamic market.” Financial Analysts Journal, 52(6): 20–28.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  24. Ferson, W., Henry, T., and Kisgen, D. (2006). “Evaluating government bond fund performance with stochastic discount factors,” Review of Financial Studies (forthcoming).

    Google Scholar 

  25. Grant, D. (1977). “Portfolio performance and the “cost” of timing decisions.” Journal of Finance, 32: 837–846.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Grinblatt, M. and Titman, S. (1989a). “Portfolio performance evaluation: old issues and new insights.” Review of Financial Studies, 2: 393–416.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  27. Grinblatt, M. and Titman, S. (1989b). “Mutual fund performance: an analysis of quarterly portfolio holdings.” Journal of Business, 62: 393–416.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  28. Grinblatt, M. and Titman, S. (1993). “Performance measurement without benchmarks: an examination of mutual fund returns.” Journal of Business, 60: 97–112.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  29. Grinblatt, M., Titman, S., and Wermers, R. (1995). “Momentum strategies, portfolio performance and herding: a study of mutual fund behavior.” American Economic Review, 85: 1088–1105.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Henriksson, R.D. (1984). “Market timing and mutual fund performance: an empirical investigation.” Journal of Business, 57: 73–96.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  31. Jensen, M. (1968). “The performance of mutual funds in the period 1945–1964.” Journal of Finance, 23: 389–346.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  32. Jensen, M. (ed.) (1972). Studies in the Theory of Capital Markets. New York: Praeger Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Jiang, W. (2003). “A nonparametric test of market timing.” Journal of Empirical Finance, 10: 399–425.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  34. Kazemi, H. (2003). “Conditional Performance of Hedge Funds.” Working Paper, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Kryzanowski, L., Lalancette, S., and To, M.C. (1997). “Performance atrribution using an apt with prespe-cified factors.” Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, 32.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Laplante, M. (2003). “Mutual fund timing with information about volatility.” Working Paper, University of Texas at Dallas.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Lee, C.F and Rahman, S. (1990). “Market timing, selectivity and mutual fund performance: An empirical investigation.” Journal of Business, 63: 261–287.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  38. Lehmann, B. and Modest, D. (1987). “Modest mutual fund performance evaluation: a comparison of benchmarks and benchmark comparisons.” Journal of Finance, 42: 233–265.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  39. Mamaysky, H., Spiegel, M. and Zhang, H. (2003). “Estimating the dynamics of mutual fund alphas and betas.” Working Paper, Yale School of Organization and Management.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Merton, R.C. and Henriksson, R.D. (1981). “On market timing and investment performance II: Statistical procedures for evaluating forecasting skills.” Journal of Business, 54: 513–534.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  41. Sharpe, W.F. (1964). “Capital asset prices: a theory of market equilibrium under conditions of risk.” Journal of Finance, 19: 425–442.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Starks, L. (1987). “Performance incentive fees: an agency theoretic approach.” Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, 22: 17–32.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  43. Treynor, J. and Mazuy, K. (1966). “Can mutual funds outguess the market?” Harvard Business Review, 44: 131–136.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Wermers, R. (1997). “Momentum investment strategies of mutual funds, performance persistence, and survivorship bias.” Working Paper, University of Colorado.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Zheng, L. (1999). “Is money smart? A study of mutual fund investors’ fund selection ability.” Journal of Finance 54, 901–933.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.

About this entry

Cite this entry

Ferson, W.E. (2006). Conditional performance evaluation. In: Lee, CF., Lee, A.C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Finance. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-26336-6_36

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-26336-6_36

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-26284-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-26336-6

  • eBook Packages: Business and Economics

Publish with us

Policies and ethics