The Modern Mutual Fund Family
59 Pages Posted: 23 Feb 2022 Last revised: 3 Feb 2023
Date Written: February 2, 2023
Abstract
Modern mutual fund families include more than active mutual funds (AMFs). AMFs in families with greater index mutual fund (IMF) presence generate higher category-adjusted gross returns. Performance is positively related to the levels of passive and active fees, suggesting moral hazard. Intrafamily competition from IMFs in the same Morningstar category incentivizes managers to exert effort. Financial resources do not contribute to the performance effect. Cross-trading with IMFs occurs with some positive effect on performance. ETFs have no impact on performance. IMFs reduce flow-performance sensitivity and flow volatility of AMFs in the family. IMFs and ETFs uniquely contribute to expense pressure.
Keywords: Mutual fund families; Active management; Passive management; Competition; Moral hazard; Cross-trading
JEL Classification: G11; G23; L22; M52
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation