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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
Book cover


Do sector ETFs follow Fama-French factors?

Author

Term

4. semester

Publication year

2024

Submitted on

Pages

52

Abstract

This thesis examines how widely used Fama–French risk factors relate to the performance of U.S. sector Exchange‑Traded Funds (ETFs) from September 2010 to September 2019. ETFs are funds that trade on an exchange like a stock and track a specific industry. We compare several asset‑pricing models—the CAPM, the Fama–French three‑factor model, the Carhart four‑factor model, and Fama–French five‑ and six‑factor models—to see which best explains sector ETF returns. The Fama–French five‑factor model augmented with momentum (FF5M) provides the best fit. Using the model’s regression coefficients, we identify which factors have a significant influence on particular sectors. We then form sector‑ETF portfolios grouped by the strength and significance of their factor exposures and evaluate them with common risk‑adjusted performance measures: Sharpe, Sortino, Treynor, Information, and Omega ratios. The findings offer guidance for constructing sector ETF portfolios aimed at improving risk‑adjusted returns.

Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan de udbredte Fama–French risikofaktorer hænger sammen med afkastet i amerikanske sektor‑ETF’er i perioden september 2010 til september 2019. ETF’er er fonde, der handles på børs som en aktie og følger en bestemt branche. Vi sammenligner flere kapitalprisningsmodeller—CAPM, Fama–French tre‑faktormodel, Carhart fire‑faktormodel samt Fama–French fem‑ og seks‑faktormodeller—for at se, hvilken der bedst forklarer sektor‑ETF’ers afkast. Den Fama–French fem‑faktormodel udvidet med momentum (FF5M) giver den bedste forklaring. Med modellens regressionskoefficienter identificerer vi, hvilke faktorer der har væsentlig betydning for bestemte sektorer. Derefter danner vi sektor‑ETF‑porteføljer grupperet efter, hvor markante og signifikante deres faktoreksponeringer er, og vurderer dem med almindelige risikojusterede mål: Sharpe‑, Sortino‑, Treynor‑, Information‑ og Omega‑ratioer. Resultaterne giver vejledning i at sammensætte sektor‑ETF‑porteføljer med henblik på bedre risikojusterede afkast.

[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]