Manipulation and performance persistence: an examination of Iranian equity mutual fund performance
International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management
ISSN: 1753-8394
Article publication date: 22 September 2021
Issue publication date: 6 May 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study manipulation and performance persistence in equity mutual funds. To this end, Manipulation-Proof Performance Measure (MPPM) and Doubt Ratio, along with a number of current performance measures are used to evaluate the performance of equity mutual funds in Iran.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors investigate performance manipulation by 1) comparing the results of the MPPM with the current performance measures, 2) checking the Doubt Ratio to detect suspicious funds. Additionally, the authors investigate performance persistence by forming and evaluating portfolios of the equity mutual funds at several time horizons.
Findings
The authors conclude that there is no evidence of performance manipulation in the equity mutual funds. Additionally, when comparing the performance of the upper (top) tertile portfolios and the lower tertile portfolios, in all of the studied 1, 3, 6 and 12-month horizons, the authors find performance persistence in the equity mutual funds.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first study to investigate the performance manipulation in the Iranian equity mutual funds, and also is the first study in Iran that uses the MPPM and the Doubt Ratio in addition to a number of current performance measures to investigate the performance persistence in the equity mutual funds at several time horizons.
Keywords
Citation
Hosseini, M., Khodaei Valahzaghard, M. and Saeedi, A. (2022), "Manipulation and performance persistence: an examination of Iranian equity mutual fund performance", International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, Vol. 15 No. 3, pp. 586-601. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMEFM-07-2020-0376
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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