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A factor analysis of international portfolio diversification

A factor analysis of international portfolio diversification Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships between stock market returns of 13 countries based upon monthly data spanning December 1987 to April 2007. Design/methodology/approach – Specifically, the principal component (PC) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods are used to examine any discernable patterns of stock market co‐movements. Findings – Factor analysis provides evidence that stock returns in a number of Asian countries are highly correlated and, based on the resulting robust factor loadings, they form the first well‐defined common factor. The paper also finds consistent results (based on both the PC and ML methods) suggesting that the stock market returns of developed countries are also highly correlated, and constitute our second factor. Practical implications – The paper concludes that, inter alia , geographical proximity and the level of economic development do matter when it comes to co‐movements of stock returns and that this has important implications for financial portfolio diversification if the aim is to reduce systematic risks across countries. Originality/value – Very few previous studies have investigated the benefits from portfolio diversification by using the PC and ML methods. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Studies in Economics and Finance Emerald Publishing

A factor analysis of international portfolio diversification

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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2008 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
ISSN
1086-7376
DOI
10.1108/10867370810894693
Publisher site
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Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships between stock market returns of 13 countries based upon monthly data spanning December 1987 to April 2007. Design/methodology/approach – Specifically, the principal component (PC) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods are used to examine any discernable patterns of stock market co‐movements. Findings – Factor analysis provides evidence that stock returns in a number of Asian countries are highly correlated and, based on the resulting robust factor loadings, they form the first well‐defined common factor. The paper also finds consistent results (based on both the PC and ML methods) suggesting that the stock market returns of developed countries are also highly correlated, and constitute our second factor. Practical implications – The paper concludes that, inter alia , geographical proximity and the level of economic development do matter when it comes to co‐movements of stock returns and that this has important implications for financial portfolio diversification if the aim is to reduce systematic risks across countries. Originality/value – Very few previous studies have investigated the benefits from portfolio diversification by using the PC and ML methods.

Journal

Studies in Economics and Finance – Emerald Publishing

Published: Aug 1, 2008

Keywords: Stock markets; Factor analysis; Portfolio investments

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