Selectivity, market timing and the morningstar star-rating system

This paper evaluates the Morningstar mutual fund ranking system. We find that indeed higher Morningstar ratings are associated with higher returns on the portfolios including respectively five-, four-, three-, two- and one-star funds only (STAR5 to STAR1). We then perform an unconditional and conditional portfolio performance evaluation. In both cases the evidence suggests that the better performance of the STAR3, STAR4 and STAR5 categories reflects superior stock selection rather than market timing abilities. Overall, the implication for the Morningstar ranking system is that this is most effective in identifying the worst-performing funds (STAR1 or STAR2) rather than the best-performing ones

Time-disaggregated dividend-price ratio and dividend growth predictability in large equity markets

We consistently show that in large equity markets, the dividend-price ratio is signiÖ- cantly related with the growth of future dividends. In order to uncover this relationship, we use monthly dividends and a mixed data sampling technique which allows us to cope with within-year seasonality. Our approach avoids the use of overlapping observations, and at the same time reduces the implications of the impact of price volatility on the dividend-price ratio. An empirical analysis using market level data from U.S., U.K., Canada and Japan strongly supports the dividend growth predictability hypothesis, suggesting that time-aggregation of dividends eliminates signiÖcant information

Methodology for integrated socio-economic assessment of offshore platforms : towards facilitation of the implementation of the marine strategy framework directive

In this paper a Methodology for Integrated Socio-Economic Assessment (MISEA) of the viability and sustainability of different designs of Multi-Use Offshore Platforms (MUOPs) is presented. MUOPs are designed for multi-use of ocean space for energy extraction (wind power production and wave energy), aquaculture and transport maritime services. The developed methodology allows identification, valuation and assessment of: the potential range of impacts of a number of feasible designs of MUOP investments, and the likely responses of those impacted by the investment project. This methodology provides decision-makers with a valuable decision tool to assess whether a MUOP project increases the overall social welfare and hence should be undertaken, under alternative specifications regarding its design, the discount rate and the stream of net benefits, if a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) is to be followed or sensitivity analysis of selected criteria in a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) framework. Such a methodology is also crucial for facilitating of the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD adopted in June 2008) that aims to achieve good environmental status of the EU's marine waters by 2020 and to protect the resource base upon which marine-related economic and social activities depend. According to the MSFD each member state must draw up a program of cost-effective measures, while prior to any new measure an impact assessment which contains a detailed cost-benefit analysis of the proposed measures is required

Existence theorems for elliptic hemivariational inequalities involving the p-Laplacian

We study quasilinear hemivariational inequalities involving the p-Laplacian. We prove two existence theorems. In the first, we allow “crossing” of the principal eigenvalue by the generalized potential, while in the second, we incorporate problems at resonance. Our approach is based on the nonsmooth critical point theory for locally Lipschitz energy functionals

Estimation of conditional asset pricing models with integrated variables in the beta specification

© 2019 The Authors. We introduce a methodology which deals with possibly integrated variables in the specification of the betas of conditional asset pricing models. In such a case, any model which is directly derived by a polynomial approximation of the functional form of the conditional beta will inherit a nonstationary right hand side. Our approach uses the cointegrating relationships between the integrated variables in order to maintain the stationarity of the right hand side of the estimated model, thus, avoiding the issues that arise in the case of an unbalanced regression. We present an example where our methodology is applied to the returns of funds-of-funds which are based on the Morningstar mutual fund ranking system. The results provide evidence that the residuals of possible cointegrating relationships between integrated variables in the specification of the conditional betas may reveal significant information concerning the dynamics of the betas