How Do Performance Measures Perform?

Abstract

The relevance of the information ratio and the alpha, two leading performance measures for multi-index models, depends on the type of portfolio that investors hold. Comparison of these measures and the generalized Treynor ratio on the quality of the rankings they produce reveals that a precise measure yields similar rankings using alternative benchmarks. A stable measure produces the same rankings even with different model specifications. The outcome indicates the types of skills portfolio managers value. The generalized Treynor ratio provides better results for a sample of mutual funds, suggesting that managerial skills relate to the ability to generate alpha while controlling for systematic risk.