International Diversification: The Within- and Between-Region Effects

43 Pages Posted: 4 Feb 2003

See all articles by Kevin C.H. Chiang

Kevin C.H. Chiang

University of Alaska Fairbanks - School of Management (SOM); Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge - Department of Finance

Christian Leonhard

University of Alaska Fairbanks - School of Management (SOM)

Date Written: August 29, 2002

Abstract

We use a recently developed decomposition method to study the variance composition of 18 major national indices over the period 1974-2001. We find that over the sample period country-specific volatility has increased and, accordingly, the benefits of international diversification have remained substantial. We also find evidence in second moments of returns suggesting that international equity markets, as a whole, have not been more financially integrated over the sample. However, promoting economic integration is not without financial implications. By focusing on 10 European Union country indices, we find that the benefits of regional diversification within the EU have shrunk and the financial links among EU member states have been considerably strengthen over the sample period. All these imply that the between-region effects of international diversification have been growing over time, and international diversification is most effective when investors overcome their geographic proximity biases and invest in other regions.

Keywords: International diversification, Portfolio Choice

JEL Classification: G11, G15

Suggested Citation

Chiang, Kevin C.H. and Leonhard, Christian, International Diversification: The Within- and Between-Region Effects (August 29, 2002). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=327083 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.327083

Kevin C.H. Chiang (Contact Author)

University of Alaska Fairbanks - School of Management (SOM) ( email )

P.O. Box 756080
208C Bunnell Building
Fairbanks, AK 99775-0500
United States
907-474-7049 (Phone)
907-474-5219 (Fax)

Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge - Department of Finance ( email )

E.J. Ourso College of Business Administration
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
United States
225-753-4978 (Phone)
225-388-6366 (Fax)

Christian Leonhard

University of Alaska Fairbanks - School of Management (SOM) ( email )

P.O. Box 756080
Fairbanks, AK 99775-0500
United States

Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?

Paper statistics

Downloads
313
Abstract Views
1,629
Rank
206,376
PlumX Metrics