Economic Thought and Practice, , 2026.
Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.17818/EMIP/2026/25
MARKET EFFICIENCY AND VOLATILITY IN A PERIOD OF RAPID GROWTH OF PASSIVE INVESTING: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM THE U.S. AND CROATIAN CAPITAL MARKETS
Branka Marasović
; University of Split, Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism, Croatia
*
Doris Kružičević
; University of Split, Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism, Croatia
Dora Samac
; University of Split, Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism, Croatia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
This paper examines how the growth of passive investing impacts market efficiency and volatility, focusing on the U.S. and Croatian capital markets. In the U.S. market, where passive funds hold a significant share, the analysis considers abnormal returns and volatility changes associated with S&P 500 rebalancing. The results indicate that passive capital flows affect prices and market dynamics, with differing effects for stocks entering and leaving the index. In the Croatian market, active portfolio management using the Markowitz model is compared with passive investing via the 7CRO ETF. The findings suggest that actively constructed portfolios may achieve higher returns than passive strategies, raising questions about the level of market efficiency relative to more developed markets.
Keywords
Croatian capital market; Market efficiency; Passive investing; United States capital market; Volatility
Hrčak ID:
347234
URI
Publication date:
18.5.2026.
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