Skip to main content

Conditional Performance Evaluation

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Finance
  • 3898 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.

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

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 679.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 849.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • 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 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • 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 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Kryzanowski, L., Lalancette, S., and To, M.C. (1997). “Performance attribution using an apt with prespecified factors.” Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, 32.

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • 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 

  • 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.

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wayne E. Ferson .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this entry

Cite this entry

Ferson, W.E. (2013). Conditional Performance Evaluation. In: Lee, CF., Lee, A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Finance. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5360-4_11

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5360-4_11

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-5359-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-5360-4

  • eBook Packages: Business and Economics

Publish with us

Policies and ethics