Journal of Asset Management 

About: Journal of Asset Management is an academic journal published by Palgrave Macmillan. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Investment strategy & Asset allocation. It has an ISSN identifier of 1470-8272. Over the lifetime, 797 publications have been published receiving 9340 citations.

Virtual currency, tangible return: Portfolio diversification with bitcoin

Abstract: Bitcoin (BTC) is a major virtual currency. Using weekly data over the 2010-2013 period, we analyze a BTC investment from the standpoint of a US investor with a diversified portfolio including both traditional assets (worldwide stocks, bonds, hard currencies) and alternative investments (commodities, hedge funds, real estate). Over the period under consideration, BTC investment had highly distinctive features, including exceptionally high average return and volatility. Its correlation with other assets was remarkably low. Spanning tests confirm that BTC investment offers significant diversification benefits. We show that the inclusion of even a small proportion of BTCs may dramatically improve the risk-return trade-off of well-diversified portfolios. Results should however be taken with caution as the data may reflect early-stage behavior that may not last in the medium or long run.

Empirical evidence on corporate governance in Europe: The effect on stock returns, firm value and performance

Abstract: This paper analyses whether good corporate governance leads to higher common stock returns and enhances firm value in Europe. Throughout, this study uses Deminor Corporate Governance Ratings for companies included in the FTSE Eurotop 300. Following the approach of Gompers et al. (2003, ‘Corporate Governance and Equity Prices’, Quarterly Journal of Economics, 118, 107–55), portfolios are built consisting of well-governed and poorly governed companies and their performances are compared. The impact of corporate governance on firm valuation is also examined. The results show a positive relationship between these variables and corporate governance. This relationship weakens substantially after adjusting for country differences. Finally, the relationship between corporate governance and firm performance is analysed, as approximated by net profit margin and return on equity. Surprisingly, and contrary to Gompers et al. (2003), a negative relationship is found between governance standards and these earnings-based performance ratios for which possible implications are discussed.

Are green bonds priced differently from conventional bonds

Abstract: The young growing market for green bonds offers investors the opportunity to take an explicit focus on climate protecting investment projects. However, it is an open question whether this new asset class is also offering attractive risk–return profiles compared to conventional (non-green) bonds. To address this question, we match daily i-spreads of green-labeled and similar non-green-labeled bonds and look at their pricing differentials. We find that rating classes AA–BBB of green bonds as well as the full sample trade marginally tighter for the respective period compared to non-green bonds of the same issuers. Furthermore, financial and corporate green bonds trade tighter than their comparable non-green bonds, and government-related bonds on the other hand trade marginally wider. Issue size, maturity and currency do not have a significant influence on differences in pricing but industry and ESG rating.

A demystification of the Black–Litterman model: Managing quantitative and traditional portfolio construction

Abstract: One of the major difficulties in financial management is trying to integrate quantitative and traditional management into a joint framework. Typically, traditional fund managers are resistant to quantitative management, as they feel that techniques of mean-variance analysis and related procedures do not capture effectively their value added. Quantitative managers often regard their judgmental colleagues as idiot savants. Senior management is rarely prepared to intervene when managers are successful and profitable, however they made their decisions. These disharmonies can make company-wide risk-management and portfolio analysis non-operational and can have deleterious effects on company profitability and staff morale.

A refinement to the Sharpe ratio and information ratio

Abstract: By modifying the denominator, both the Sharpe ratio and information ratio provide correct rankings during periods of negative excess returns.