Cookies?
Library Header Image
LSE Research Online LSE Library Services

Domestic versus international portfolio selection: a statistical examination of the home bias

Gorman, Larry R. and Jorgensen, Bjorn N. (2002) Domestic versus international portfolio selection: a statistical examination of the home bias. Multinational Finance Journal, 6 (3-4). pp. 131-166. ISSN 1069-1879

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

The observed international home bias has traditionally been viewed as an anomaly. This paper provides statistical evidence contrary to this view within a mean-variance framework. Two methods of estimating the expected return and covariance parameters are investigated: (i) the traditional Markowitz approach, and (ii) the Bayes-Stein "shrinkage" algorithm. In-sample tests reveal that neither the Markowitz tangency allocation vectors nor the Bayes-Stein tangency allocation vectors are significantly different than a 100% domestic allocation (i.e. extreme home bias). These results are robust to the shorting of equity and across foreign exchange hedge strategies. The paper also reports out-of-sample tests with a view toward investment performance. Typically, a 100% domestic allocation outperforms both the Bayes-Stein and Markowitz tangency portfolios. Overall, the theorized gains to international diversification appear difficult to capture in practice and, hence, investors exhibiting a strong home bias are not necessarily acting irrationally.

Item Type: Article
Official URL: http://www.mfsociety.org/page.php?pageID=162
Additional Information: © 2002 Multinational Finance Society
Divisions: Accounting
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HG Finance
JEL classification: F - International Economics > F3 - International Finance
G - Financial Economics > G1 - General Financial Markets > G11 - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
G - Financial Economics > G1 - General Financial Markets > G12 - Asset Pricing; Trading volume; Bond Interest Rates
G - Financial Economics > G1 - General Financial Markets > G15 - International Financial Markets
Date Deposited: 28 Aug 2013 09:08
Last Modified: 11 Dec 2024 22:33
URI: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/52122

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item