Asset pricing with social interactions, adaptive learning, and differences in opinion. This project seeks to understand how social interactions and adaptive learning of investors affect asset prices in highly competitive and adaptive financial markets. It will develop an evolutionary asset pricing theory, novel empirical hypotheses and tests of financial market characteristics and provide implications for policy and market regulation.
Dynamic Asset Pricing and Portfolio Decision Rules under Heterogeneous Expectations and Adaptive Learning. The outcomes of this project will provide two benefits to Australian financial market researchers in academe, in industry and financial market regulators. First, a better theoretical and empirical foundation for understanding and analysing optimal portfolio decision rules in a setting that captures many realistic features of market behaviour such as heterogeneity of investor types and adapt ....Dynamic Asset Pricing and Portfolio Decision Rules under Heterogeneous Expectations and Adaptive Learning. The outcomes of this project will provide two benefits to Australian financial market researchers in academe, in industry and financial market regulators. First, a better theoretical and empirical foundation for understanding and analysing optimal portfolio decision rules in a setting that captures many realistic features of market behaviour such as heterogeneity of investor types and adaptive behaviour by market participants. Second, new tools to more effectively understand and manage portfolio risk in financial markets. Consequently Australia will have a more efficient and competitive financial system. It also has the potential to lead to the development of more finance related industries such as financial market software.Read moreRead less
An Examination of the Structure, Performance, Trading Activity and Portfolio Compositions of Small-Cap Equity Managers. Australian investment managers currently manage $A904 billion in assets. Given that Australians compulsorily commit 9% of their salaries this figure is set to rise rapidly. Developing a better understanding of the performance and trading activities of these managers offers significant benefit to all Australians. The growth in assets under management has forced managers to in ....An Examination of the Structure, Performance, Trading Activity and Portfolio Compositions of Small-Cap Equity Managers. Australian investment managers currently manage $A904 billion in assets. Given that Australians compulsorily commit 9% of their salaries this figure is set to rise rapidly. Developing a better understanding of the performance and trading activities of these managers offers significant benefit to all Australians. The growth in assets under management has forced managers to invest in alternative assets such as small cap stocks. Small companies have been described as the engine room of economic growth, promoting employment, national prosperity, and innovation and entrepreneurship. Our research considers a significant and growing part of Australia's national economy.Read moreRead less
Evaluating the Performance of Active Australian Equity Managers Utilising their Daily Portfolio Holdings and Trades. The aim is to evaluate the performance of active institutional Australian equity fund managers by statistical and mathematical modelling of their trades. Using a unique dataset of daily portfolio holdings and trades, we compare the trading styles of those who have persistently outperformed the market with those that have not so as to reveal drivers of superior performance. Such a ....Evaluating the Performance of Active Australian Equity Managers Utilising their Daily Portfolio Holdings and Trades. The aim is to evaluate the performance of active institutional Australian equity fund managers by statistical and mathematical modelling of their trades. Using a unique dataset of daily portfolio holdings and trades, we compare the trading styles of those who have persistently outperformed the market with those that have not so as to reveal drivers of superior performance. Such a study has been impossible until now due to non-disclosure of trades. Understanding the fundamental origins of fund performance enhances the overall returns to investors, provides a new ratings system yielding superior information, and redirects the nest-eggs of "mums and dads" towards better-performing managers.Read moreRead less
A Synthesis of Agency and Managerial Power Theories and Its Applications to Corporate Governance, Management Compensation, and Firm Performance. The existing models of corporate governance in economics and finance based on agency theory do not successfully portray all modern corporations. Thus the importance of a new and rigorous way to study corporate governance can be hardly exaggerated. This project will provide a synthesized theory of corporate governance and is expected to produce highest- ....A Synthesis of Agency and Managerial Power Theories and Its Applications to Corporate Governance, Management Compensation, and Firm Performance. The existing models of corporate governance in economics and finance based on agency theory do not successfully portray all modern corporations. Thus the importance of a new and rigorous way to study corporate governance can be hardly exaggerated. This project will provide a synthesized theory of corporate governance and is expected to produce highest-quality research publishable in top-tier journals. This will, among others, enhance Australia's standing as a knowledge nation. This project is also expected to contribute to the discussions on how to improve corporate governance and regulation of management compensation both in Australia and abroad. Read moreRead less
Approximation and Simulation of Large Diversified Portfolios. The measurement of risk for large diversified portfolios, consisting of primary securities and derivatives, will play a key role in future financial technology. Based on a new characterisation of asymptotic portfolios this project proposes the development, implementation and testing of highly efficient new approximate risk measurement methodologies suitable for portfolios with hundreds or thousands of instruments. Comparisons with sta ....Approximation and Simulation of Large Diversified Portfolios. The measurement of risk for large diversified portfolios, consisting of primary securities and derivatives, will play a key role in future financial technology. Based on a new characterisation of asymptotic portfolios this project proposes the development, implementation and testing of highly efficient new approximate risk measurement methodologies suitable for portfolios with hundreds or thousands of instruments. Comparisons with standard and new simulation methods will demonstrate their superiority. The outcomes of this project will give Australian industry an internationally competitive advantage in the measurement and management of risk for large diversified portfolios such as those of superannuation funds and banks.Read moreRead less
Tax Loss Selling: Implications for investor share trading behaviour and industry effects. We will contribute to the national interest in several ways. First, we will provide up-to-date evidence on Tax Loss Selling (TLS), addressing an acute lack of research in this area. Second, a predictive model of TLS is being developed, which is important in understanding when and where significant TLS will arise. Third, we will examine whether the mineral exploration industry has been particularly disadvant ....Tax Loss Selling: Implications for investor share trading behaviour and industry effects. We will contribute to the national interest in several ways. First, we will provide up-to-date evidence on Tax Loss Selling (TLS), addressing an acute lack of research in this area. Second, a predictive model of TLS is being developed, which is important in understanding when and where significant TLS will arise. Third, we will examine whether the mineral exploration industry has been particularly disadvantaged by the Capital Gains Tax. As recognised in the Prosser Report, current tax policy is a potentially important cause of the decline in exploration expenditure. Its role needs to be understood, because the exploration industry contributes substantially to exports and national income, and is critical to the national interest. Read moreRead less
Schemes of arrangement versus takeovers: implications of the choice for shareholders and directors. This project examines the use of schemes of arrangement in acquisitions. Do they disadvantage target shareholders through lower takeover premiums and less takeover competition? The results of the project will indicate whether reforms are needed to Australian takeover legislation to create a level playing field between takeover bids and schemes.
Venture capitalist networks and the financing of innovation. This project aims to understand why some venture capitalists (VCs) are more successful than others at financing start-ups. It studies the role of network connections between individual VCs, which are an important channel through which VCs accumulate specialised skills, exchange information and establish reputation. This project will analyse how these networks evolve, whether they explain an individual VC’s performance, and how network- ....Venture capitalist networks and the financing of innovation. This project aims to understand why some venture capitalists (VCs) are more successful than others at financing start-ups. It studies the role of network connections between individual VCs, which are an important channel through which VCs accumulate specialised skills, exchange information and establish reputation. This project will analyse how these networks evolve, whether they explain an individual VC’s performance, and how network-related human capital shapes the boundaries of a VC partnership. The expected outcomes will contribute insights into low capital allocation to venture capital funds the constrained formation of new venture capital partnerships by Australian institutional investors.Read moreRead less
Shareholder voting at Australian annual general meetings. The Australian Corporations Act requires public companies to hold an annual general meeting (AGM) of shareholders. This project aims to address several important issues regarding the integrity, transparency, effectiveness and consequences of voting at Australian AGMs in relation to: show of hands voting, AGM characteristics and technology use, and director elections. As there is limited prior research on these matters this project expects ....Shareholder voting at Australian annual general meetings. The Australian Corporations Act requires public companies to hold an annual general meeting (AGM) of shareholders. This project aims to address several important issues regarding the integrity, transparency, effectiveness and consequences of voting at Australian AGMs in relation to: show of hands voting, AGM characteristics and technology use, and director elections. As there is limited prior research on these matters this project expects to generate significant new knowledge. The project outcomes will provide significant benefits as the findings will support moves towards best practice in governance and thereby enhance public confidence in the integrity of the Australian financial market.Read moreRead less