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Margin trading and price efficiency: information content or price‐adjustment speed?

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  • Dayong Lv
  • Wenfeng Wu

Abstract

The literature offers contradictory views on the effect of margin‐trading activities on price efficiency. Based on data from a Chinese margin‐trading pilot programme in 2010, we separate price efficiency into information content and price‐adjustment speed and investigate the effect of margin‐trading activity on price efficiency. We find that after adding to the eligible list, pilot stocks experience a decrease in information content, but an increase in price‐adjustment speed. Furthermore, increased margin‐buying activities are associated with lower information content, but faster price adjustment. Our results reconcile the debate over the effect of margin trading on price efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Dayong Lv & Wenfeng Wu, 2020. "Margin trading and price efficiency: information content or price‐adjustment speed?," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 60(3), pages 2889-2918, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:acctfi:v:60:y:2020:i:3:p:2889-2918
    DOI: 10.1111/acfi.12403
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Chen, Xinxin & Guo, Yanhong & Song, Yingying, 2024. "Multiple time scales investor sentiment impact the stock market index fluctuation: From margin trading business perspective," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 69(PA).

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