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Review of Financial Studies Vol. 19 No. 2 2006

Evaluating Government Bond Fund Performance with Stochastic Discount Factors

Wayne E. Ferson1; Tyler R. Henry2; Darren J. Kisgen1

1 Boston College · 2 University of Georgia

Abstract

This article shows how to evaluate the performance of managed portfolios using stochastic discount factors (SDFs) from continuous-time term structure models. These models imply empirical factors that include time averages of the underlying state variables. The approach addresses a performance measurement bias, described by Goetzmann, Ingersoll, and Ivkovic (2000) and Ferson and Khang (2002), arising because fund managers may trade within the return measurement interval or hold positions in replicable options. The empirical factors contribute explanatory power in factor model regressions and reduce model pricing errors. We illustrate the approach on US government bond funds during 1986–2000.

DOI
10.1093/rfs/hhj015
Volume
19
Issue
2
Pages
423-455
Language
en
Sources
openalex crossref

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