What Drives the Performance of Convertible-Bond Funds?

68 Pages Posted: 4 Mar 2007

See all articles by Manuel Ammann

Manuel Ammann

University of St. Gallen - School of Finance

Axel H. Kind

University of Konstanz

Ralf Seiz

University of St.Gallen; Finreon

Date Written: July 2007

Abstract

This paper examines the performance of US mutual funds investing primarily in convertible bonds. Although convertible-bond funds are popular investment vehicles, their return process is not well understood. We contribute an analysis of the complete universe of US convertible-bond funds proposing a set of multi-factor models for the return generating process. In spite of the well-known hybrid nature of convertible bonds, the return process of convertible-bond funds cannot be fully explained by factors typically related to stock and bond markets. Thus, we consider additional variables accounting for the option-like character of convertible bonds. Surprisingly, multivariate cross-sectional analyses show the existence of a significant positive relationship between a fund's performance and its asset composition. Similar to Agarwal et al. (2006) we show that this result can be explained by factors related to investment opportunities in the convertible-bond market and trading strategies related to convertible arbitrage, as typically performed by hedge funds. Overall, convertible-bond funds have a performance as measured by alpha that is comparable to passive investment strategies in stocks, bonds, and convertible bonds. This average performance is the result of weak selection skills and successful timing of strategies related to convertible arbitrage.

Keywords: Mutual Funds, Performance, Hybrid Securities, Convertible Bonds

JEL Classification: G12, G13, G15

Suggested Citation

Ammann, Manuel and Kind, Axel H. and Seiz, Ralf, What Drives the Performance of Convertible-Bond Funds? (July 2007). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=967988 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.967988

Manuel Ammann

University of St. Gallen - School of Finance ( email )

Unterer Graben 21
St.Gallen, CH-9000
Switzerland

Axel H. Kind

University of Konstanz

Universitätsstraße 10
Konstanz, D-78457
Germany

Ralf Seiz (Contact Author)

University of St.Gallen ( email )

St.Gallen, 9000
Switzerland

Finreon ( email )

Oberer Graben 3
St. Gallen, 9000
Switzerland

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