Persistence in New Zealand Growth Mutual Funds Returns: an examination of New Zealand Mutual Funds from 1997 - 2003

Abstract

There has been a lot of research on mutual funds performance, especially about the persistence of excess returns. Regression is the most common method used to research this fund persistence. In this study, authors use the same methodology as Dutta and Su (2008) to analyze New Zealand growth mutual funds. The sample consists of 42 New Zealand growth mutual funds over the period 1996 to 2003. Morgan Stanley Capital International world index (MSCI) was chosen as the study benchmark. The study finds that the sample of funds are likely to beat benchmark when world index get negative return and when MSCI shows positive return, most funds underperform the benchmark.