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Fee Structure and Mutual Fund Choice: An Experiment

Author

Listed:
  • Mikhail Anufriev

    (The University of Technology Sydney)

  • Te Bao

    (Division of Economics, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore)

  • Angela Sutan

    (Burgundy School of Business, University Bourgogne Franche-Comte CEREN, Dijon, France)

  • Jan Tuinstra

    (CeNDEF, Amsterdam School of Economics, University of Amsterdam)

Abstract
We present a laboratory experiment which is designed to investigate the effect of the fee structure on mutual fund choice. We find that subjects tend to ignore periodic and small operating expenses fees and base their decisions on gross, instead of net, returns. A fee in the form of a, much larger, front-end load leads to lock-in into one of the funds. It is used by some subjects as a commitment device, but exacerbates the decision errors of other subjects. Although past returns do not convey information about future returns, return chasing helps explain subjects' behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Mikhail Anufriev & Te Bao & Angela Sutan & Jan Tuinstra, 2018. "Fee Structure and Mutual Fund Choice: An Experiment," Working Paper Series 45, Economics Discipline Group, UTS Business School, University of Technology, Sydney.
    • Handle: RePEc:uts:ecowps:45
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    File URL: https://www.uts.edu.au/sites/default/files/2018-07/Fee%20Structure%20and%20Mutual%20Fund%20Choice.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Thorp, S. & Bateman, H. & Dobrescu, L.I. & Newell, B.R. & Ortmann, A., 2020. "Flicking the switch: Simplifying disclosure to improve retirement plan choices," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
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    5. Bao, Te & Corgnet, Brice & Hanaki, Nobuyuki & Riyanto, Yohanes E. & Zhu, Jiahua, 2023. "Predicting the unpredictable: New experimental evidence on forecasting random walks," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
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    7. Kopányi, Dávid & Rabanal, Jean Paul & Rud, Olga A. & Tuinstra, Jan, 2019. "Can competition between forecasters stabilize asset prices in learning to forecast experiments?," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    8. Gui, Zhengqing & Huang, Yangguang & Zhao, Xiaojian, 2021. "Whom to educate? Financial literacy and investor awareness," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    9. Adriana Gabriela Breaban & Juan Carlos Matallín-Sáez & Iván Barreda-Tarrazona & Mª Rosario Balaguer-Franch, 2012. "The demand for structured products: an experimental approach," Working Papers 2012/15, Economics Department, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón (Spain).
    10. Breaban, A.G., 2014. "Behavior and asset markets : Individual decisions, emotions and fundamental value trajectories," Other publications TiSEM a20e6a40-f15e-4331-83cb-c, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    11. Aleksei Chernulich & John Horowitz & Jean Paul Rabanal & Olga Rud & Manizha Sharifova, 2023. "Entry and exit decisions under public and private information: an experiment," Experimental Economics, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 26(2), pages 339-356, April.
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    13. Anufriev, M. & Tuinstra, J. & Bao, T., 2013. "Fund Choice Behavior and Estimation of Switching Models: An Experiment," CeNDEF Working Papers 13-04, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Center for Nonlinear Dynamics in Economics and Finance.
    14. Wang-Ly, Nathan & Bateman, Hazel & Dobrescu, Isabella & Newell, Ben R. & Thorp, Susan, 2022. "Defaults, disclosures, advice and calculators: One size does not fit all," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 35(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Mutual fund choice; fee structure; experimental economics; return chasing; learning;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • G02 - Financial Economics - - General - - - Behavioral Finance: Underlying Principles
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions

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