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This paper aims to analyze the determinants of Portuguese funds' performance and efficiency. The authors have used an alternative approach that combines data envelopment analysis (DEA) with multiple criteria decision aiding (MCDA), the value-based DEA, for assessing the efficiency of Portuguese equity and bonds portfolios for the 2019 period; which represents a year of economic expansion in Portugal. In general, these results point out that the fund´s performance depends on its size, turnover, and risk levels. Of the total sample, 44% of funds are classified as efficient, and most of them are bond funds. Besides, funds with less liquidity, less rotation, and older age show better efficiency. This study seeks to contribute to completing the existing literature, analyzing the characteristics that most influence the funds' performance, and also help an investor in their investment choices. As far as the authors know, they are the first to investigate 50 funds registered in the Portuguese Securities Market Commission, incorporating 31 equity funds and 19 bond funds.

This study investigates the relevance of stock buy/sell transactions by insiders in Portuguese companies' performance. To achieve this aim, the sample covers the period from 2013 to 2017. The data from buy/sell transactions by insiders were collected in the internal transaction reports delivered by the companies to the Portuguese Securities Market Commission for the same time interval. The results, using panel data methodology, suggest a negative relationship between the long/short positions and the companies' performance, although the volume traded is not significant. Therefore, the increased control of Portuguese companies by their managers signals the existence of conflicts of interest of the managers, whether due to financial reasons or to strengthen their continuity in the position. As far as the authors are aware, this is the first time that a study has been carried out using insider transactions for Portuguese companies and their influence on corporate performance.

The main goal of this chapter is to analyze the performance of four investment strategies within a recent period of international political uncertainties. RSI and MACD supported three competing investment strategies, which were compared to the conservative Buy and Hold strategy. Euro Stoxx 50 Index was selected through the Markowitz Theory, and the DAX index was established as a benchmark. The period considered was between the start of Donald Trump's official campaign to the US elections and the first date set for Brexit. Two subsequent additional studies were performed to evaluate their profitability. The entry and exit points were determined by international economic reports. Alternative time lengths for the RSI window were considered. The results suggest that, when the market is bear or undefined, the investor should have a strategy supported on technical analysis and he should consider more than one indicator to increase the information that is taken from the market. The passive Buy and Hold strategy should be considered when the market is considered a bull market.