The Influence of Buy-side Analysts on Mutual Fund Trading

Citation

Frey S & Herbst P (2014) The Influence of Buy-side Analysts on Mutual Fund Trading. Journal of Banking and Finance, 49, pp. 442-458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbankfin.2014.01.007

Abstract
We present evidence on the trading and performance impact of buy-side analysts. Using data provided by a large global asset manager, we relate buy-side analysts' recommendations to fund transactions on a daily basis. We show that buy-side analysts significantly influence trading decisions: Fund managers strongly follow recent recommendation revisions, even after controlling for other trading determinants. Positive abnormal returns to buy-side analysts' revisions are also reflected in the performance of mutual fund trades: Trades triggered by buy-side recommendations have higher returns than other trades. Overall, the impact of buy-side analysts is more pronounced than that of sell-side analysts.

Keywords
Buy-side analysts; Analyst recommendations; Mutual funds; Investment decisions; Investment performance G23; G11; G29; M41

Journal
Journal of Banking and Finance: Volume 49

People

Dr Patrick Herbst

Senior Lecturer, Accounting & Finance