Mutual Fund Performance; Funds and Country Specific Characteristics: A Comparative Study of Pakistan and India Equity Funds

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to find out the effect of country specific factors along with fund specific factors on the performance of mutual fund. The study examined the performance of 32 equity mutual funds operating in Pakistan and India. Annual data was collected from the fund’s annual financial reports and mutual fund association of Pakistan for the period of 2010 to 2015.  Fixed effect model was used for the purpose of analysis. Findings of study shows that GDP, size, LIQ and RIR are negatively related to growth of mutual funds whereas CPI, AT and MGF are positively related with mutual funds growth. In case of India CPI is negatively related to performance of the funds. Beyond fund specific characteristics country level of variables also have effect on the performance of mutual fund. Therefore, investors must incorporate the changes in country level factors along with fund specific factors while making investment decision.