Assessing the Impact of Currency Movements on Investor Demand for International Equity ETFs: An Analysis of Hedged Equity ETFs

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The Wharton School::Wharton Undergraduate Research::Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR)
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Finance and Financial Management
Subject
International Financial Markets
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)
Foreign Exchange
International Equity
Currency-Hedging
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Wharton Summer Program for Undergraduate Research
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2024
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Wiig-Andersen, Didrik
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Abstract

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) have become a leading investment vehicle since State Street introduced the first U.S. ETF in 1993. Despite their popularity among both professional and retail investors, limited research has been conducted on international ETFs. These products hold assets such as equities or bonds in regions outside the U.S., introducing foreign exchange risk. This study examines whether currency-hedged ETFs experience increased inflows when the local currency depreciates or becomes more volatile relative to the USD. The analysis compares these inflows to those in unhedged ETF counterparts. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed using 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month currency price changes, currency price volatility, and index returns as independent variables. The results indicate a statistically significant relationship between short-term index returns and the inflow of funds into hedged ETFs for the respective regions. However, none of the other explanatory variables, including currency price changes or volatility, demonstrated statistically significant effects. One possible explanation is that during turbulent times—often marked by currency depreciation and heightened volatility—illiquidity and mispricing in international ETFs may cause investors to refrain from selling unhedged ETF shares in favor of purchasing the hedged counterpart. Further research is recommended to identify factors that more accurately capture the drivers of fund flows in international ETFs.

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2024-08-27
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