Research Report

Since the collapse of the Internet bubble, many Japanese portfolio managers have observed a surprising contrast between trends in tracking error and market volatility: tracking errors have fallen dramatically for many portfolios, while the volatility of the TSE1 index has declined much more gradually.  The decrease in tracking error is related to a phenomenon occurring in markets around the globe.  The cross-sectional dispersion of asset returns within these markets is much smaller...

Research Report

Different Portfolio Construction Methods in an Uncertain WorldWhy Accurate Stock Specific Risk Modeling MattersDynamic Volatility in the Japanese Equities Market and its Impact on Active Portfolio Management.Improved Risk Forecasting for Emerging Equity Markets Using Higher Frequency Data

Research Report

The MSCI Monthly Update is a monthly publication where we provide commentary on the market using MSCI Barra Equity Models, the MSCI Macroeconomic Model, the RiskMetrics Factor Model and MSCI Indexes.

Research Report

This note describes a new method for estimating the risk exposures of hedge funds and mutual funds when complete holdings are unavailable. Like MSCI’s previous fund models, the Fund Model enables returns-based analysis of funds together with holdings-based analysis of other portfolio components. The new methodology extends traditional returns-based style analysis to incorporate other holdings-based information, reduce noise, and overcome distortions from turnover and the smoothing of illiquid...

Risk Management Analytics

Research Report

This paper describes BIM303, a new version of the Barra Integrated Model (BIM). This new version incorporates the latest Barra equity models, includes several new and updated Barra fixed income models, and completes the history of the private equity and private real estate components. Other local models that form the complete BIM are the same as those in BIM301, the previous integrated model. BIM303, like BIM301, comes in versions for multiple horizons: Short, Long, and Extra Long.

Research Report

Indexes

Research Report

An accumulating body of empirical research has found positive gross excess returns from exposure to risk factors (or risk premia). Our study was commissioned by the Norwegian Ministry of Finance to explore factor strategies, through the lens of risk premia indices, for large funds. The paper examines equity risk premia, such as value, size, low volatility and momentum, focusing on return, risk, and investability. For portfolios of large scale, we construct risk premia indices which have...

Indexes

Research Report