G23 - Pension Funds; Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional InvestorsReturn

The article focuses on comparing the performance of domestic actively managed funds with ETFs, or Exchange Traded Funds, which are traded on stock exchanges and generally aim to track a selected index. It compares actively managed funds and ETFs from both a return and volatility perspective. Key indicators analyzed include average return, Sharpe ratio, Beta, Jensen's alpha, and Treynor ratio. The objective of this article is to conduct a detailed analysis and empirical evaluation of whether actively managed investment funds—managed by portfolio managers with the goal of achieving above-average returns—can outperform passively managed funds in the long run. These passive funds, such as index funds and ETFs, track the performance of a specific market or sector without active intervention from fund managers. The emphasis is placed on empirical observations, i.e., actual historical results, rather than theoretical considerations, to provide an objective assessment of whether active management delivers higher added value for investors compared to passive investing, which relies on long-term market growth.

The paper discusses the issue of various pension finance products, managed individually or institutionally (professionally). In the introductory part of the contribution, the more detailed characteristics, advantages and risks of the newly created long-term investment product are discussed. Furthermore, pension funds and participation funds are discussed as representatives of the institutional administration of pension savings. Special attention is paid to the negative effects of incorrect institutional adjustment using the example of the zero yield guarantee of the original Czech pension funds. The role of pension products in the financial system is discussed in the final part of the paper.

The article discusses the redefinition of the insurance category from the point of view of the contribution of behavioralists, empirical economist and cognitive psychologist N.N. Taleb and D. Kahneman, motives for insurance, influence on the economy of the insurance industry.

In this paper, we deal with the derivation of the mathematical equation for the Macaulay duration of a perpetuity (hereinafter referred to as "Mac. duration") bond in the period between coupon payments. According to our findings, this equation is not included in the commonly available literature and is limited only to the equation for calculating Mac. duration at the moment when exactly one full coupon period remains before the payment of the nearest coupon. In a mathematical derivation, we come to a conclusion, which is consistent with financial intuition, that the Mac. duration of the perpetuity does not depend on the size of the coupon, but is dependent on the internal rate of return of the perpetuity and decreases as the moment of payment of the nearest coupon approaches.

The discussion paper focuses on the prerequisites for the creation, development and consequences of exchange traded funds. The article first analyzes the defining characteristics of the effective behavior of stock markets as an elementary prerequisite for the investment demand for passive portfolio management. Subsequently, attention is paid to the nature of exchange traded funds and their rapid development in recent decades. Individual types of exchange traded funds are also analyzed. In the final part of the paper, some risks of the rapid development of this financial innovation, which significantly changes the focus of investment management, both individual and institutional, are discussed.

This article discusses the tax implications of choosing a property acquisition method for real estate funds. As part of the analysis of real estate investment methods, data from 49 real estate funds registered with the Czech National Bank were processed. An analysis of the assets held and the type of returns of individual funds revealed that the most common method of investing in real estate is lending to a subsidiary real estate company. This method of real estate acquisition is based on the accounting effects of revaluation of assets in mergers of an acquisition company established by the fund and an acquired real estate company. At the same time, it is a method that maximizes the tax optimization of the participants and its choice could be assessed as purposeful in order to obtain a tax advantage.

The article deals with the issue of TLAC and MREL capital requirements as a tool safeguarding the sufficient level of absorbing and recapitalization capacity of failing banks. The contribution is three-fold. Firstly, the article provides comparative analysis of TLAC and MREL and identify the main differences associated with scope of eligible institutions, eligible instruments subordination requirements and the required limits of the standards. Secondly, we identify main differences resulting from the revision of BRRD with respect to areas mentioned in comparative analysis. Thirdly, the article presents descriptive analysis of the CNB´s approach to calibration of MREL, which is based on TREA and leverage ratio.

The article is focused on insurance products related to the indebtedness of Czech households in the area of consumer loans. The aim of this paper is, with the help of defined assumptions, to analyse the product payment protection insurance, its benefit to the final client and identify its appropriate use in the event of an economically rationally behaving entity. The authors analyse insurance conditions and define the pros and cons of insurance for supply-side and demand-side, and also focuses on information asymmetry. For completeness, the text is supplemented also in terms of cost of insurance, through the APR and development of acquisition costs for insurance contracts. Results of the analysis indicate not suitably configured product for clients, as evidenced by the low long-term value of loss ratio indicator, and information superiority on the supply side.

The globalization of the economy during the last two decades was characterised by the growth of international trade volume and changed the pattern of its territorial structure. This development has been supported by the increasing role of global supply chains, by the implementation of modern IT technologies and was reflected in trade finance. The shift from traditional banking instruments to open account trade was in the long term obvious. The economic environment of the last financial and economic crises brought the necessity of more effective cash management, payment risk mitigation and reduction of operating costs. The BPO represents a resilient instrument based on electronic data exchange which can address the trade finance needs of both traders and financial institutions.

The aim of this paper is not only to explain the role of retirement funds in the Czech pension system, but also to evaluate how effectively the new system has been working up to now. Owing to population ageing and the debt problems of the most developed countries, as well as maturing of existing pay-as-you-go systems, there is a widespread trend in the developed countries moving towards capitalized pension funds in the modern retirement system. Particular attention will be paid to the systematic defects in the II pillar Czech pension system, which is characterized by the insufficient demand for this new financial product. As a solution to the institutional imperfection the participation in the II pillar should be mandatory.

The aim of this paper is not only to explain the role of pension funds on the global capital markets, but also to evaluate how effectively the pension funds manage entrusted retirement savings. Owing to population ageing and the debt problems of the most developed countries, as well as maturing of existing pay-as-you-go systems, there is a widespread trend in the OECD countries towards capitalized pension funds in the modern retirement system. Particular attention will be paid to the performance of pension funds in the Czech supplementary pension insurance system, which is characterized by the existence of unusual zero yield guarantee. However, the zero yield guarantee causes excessively conservative behavior of portfolio managers, which leads to negative real rates of return. The solution of institutional mistake is to eliminate the zero yield guarantee and create a new segment in the 3rd pillar in the form of participating funds.