Mutual fund flows, expected returns, and the real economy

This paper investigates the relation between mutual fund flows and the real economy. The findings of this paper support the theory that the positive co-movement of flows into equity funds and stock market returns is explained by a common response to macroeconomic news. Variables that predict the real economy as well as the equity premium - in particular dividend-price ratio, default spread, relative T-Bill rate and consumption-wealth ratio - are related to fund flows and can account for the correlation of flows and market returns. Furthermore, consistent with the information-response hypothesis, mutual fund flows are forward-looking and predict real economic activity. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.