Style analysis for diversified US equity funds

In this study, we consider two methods of returns-based style analysis (RBSA) for classification of investment styles for a single asset class, US Diversified Equity Funds. We extend Sharpe's style RBSA by forming style groups using cluster analysis and RBSA factors. We also introduce a parsimonious Best Fit Index (BFI) of style classification that explicitly acknowledges the existence of market segmentation and practitioner benchmarking. The methods provide complementary information about mutual fund returns. Both methodologies explain a significant proportion of the cross section of out-of-sample returns, but the BFI method performs better out-of-sample is more transparent and more closely aligned to investment practice.