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Momentum in Japan works well: Asness

By studying value and momentum in Japan as a system, because they are strongly negatively correlated, this paper by AQR’s Cliff Asness argues that despite popular belief, momentum “works quite well” in Japan.

Making sense of China’s excessive foreign reserves

This analysis suggests that without a well-developed domestic financial market, the value of the Chinese currency (renminbi) may significantly depreciate, instead of appreciate, once the Chinese government abandons the linked exchange rate and the massive amount of precautionary savings of Chinese households are unleashed toward international financial markets to search for better returns.

The economics of hedge funds

This collaborative research examines the relationship between hedge fund managers’ fee structures and the amount of risk taken and among other things finds a “high-powered incentive fee” encourages excessive risk-taking, while management fees have the opposite effect.

Yale warns on ‘nanny’ reforms

Subjecting money market funds to a bank-like regulatory structure would disrupt the short-term money market and increase systematic risk according to this Yale Law School paper. While risk-limiting reforms are important to ensure the continued safety and security of MMFs, this paper argues major revisions such as the floating NAV requirement or bank-like regulation would

Some like it hot

Empirical literature and MSCI analysis show that high implementation costs indicate there is little evidence the average managers in either emerging market or small caps have produced either higher or more persistent risk-adjusted returns relative to their developed market and mid-cap peers.

Inflation-linked bonds and their relative value as an inflation hedge

Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS) have a relatively unique profile within fixed income portfolios, which has important implications for investors’ setting of objectives and portfolio construction. This Towers Watson article explores the different motivations for using TIPS and other inflation hedges.