EXPLORING DIVERSIFICATION BENEFITS IN ASIAN EQUITY MARKETS

Abstract

This paper examines the benefits of international diversification from the perspective of local investors in 15 Asian markets whose initial portfolio holdings consist of assets from the respective domestic markets. We employ the step-down approach of the mean–variance spanning test to examine the statistical significance of regional and global diversification benefits. The analysis is conducted using three portfolio groups based on relative strength ranking technique. The empirical evidence suggests greater benefits from regional diversification compared to global diversification, in most instances. For Asian economies with restrictions on international investing, these findings suggest a further liberalization of their markets.