This paper is aimed at the investigation of the behavior of equity mutual funds at semester-ends. Results indicate that Brazilian equity funds present positive abnormal returns on the last trading day of semesters, followed by negative abnormal returns at the subsequent day. Abnormal returns are associated with poor monitoring skill of managers' behavior. Retail funds are more likely to present abnormal returns at semester-ends. Evidence of abnormal returns associated with performance-based compensation is not as strong as the one provided by the distinction of funds' clientele.
Agency Problems; Abnormal Returns; Mutual Funds
