The True Colors of Money: Racial Representation and Asset Management

Abstract

We examine the role of race and ethnicity in the mutual fund context at two distinct levels. At the fund manager level, we document a co-racial tilt—funds managed by minority-dominant (White-dominant) teams allocate larger portfolio weights to minority-led (White-led) firms. This tilt is not associated with superior performance. It diminishes as fund managers gain experience, suggesting the presence of inaccurate statistical discrimination. At the investor level, we find that minority-led funds are penalized similarly to White-dominant funds for poor performance but are not rewarded as much for superior performance. Overall, our results uncover race-related investment choices at both levels.