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High Idiosyncratic Volatility and Low Returns: A Prospect Theory Explanation

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  • Ajay Bhootra
  • Jungshik Hur

Abstract

type="main"> The well-documented negative relationship between idiosyncratic volatility and stock returns is puzzling if investors are risk-averse. However, under prospect theory, while investors are risk-averse in the domain of gains, they exhibit risk-seeking behavior in the domain of losses. Consistent with risk-seeking investors’ preference for high-volatility stocks in the loss domain, we find that the negative relationship between idiosyncratic volatility and stock returns is concentrated in stocks with unrealized capital losses, but is nonexistent in stocks with unrealized capital gains. This finding is robust to control for short-term return reversals and maximum daily return, among other variables.

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  • Ajay Bhootra & Jungshik Hur, 2015. "High Idiosyncratic Volatility and Low Returns: A Prospect Theory Explanation," Financial Management, Financial Management Association International, vol. 44(2), pages 295-322, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:finmgt:v:44:y:2015:i:2:p:295-322
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    9. Jie Cao & Tarun Chordia & Xintong Zhan, 2021. "The Calendar Effects of the Idiosyncratic Volatility Puzzle: A Tale of Two Days?," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 67(12), pages 7866-7887, December.
    10. Bakó, Barna & Neszveda, Gábor, 2024. "An aspirational perspective on the negative risk-return relationship," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
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    12. Neszveda, G., 2019. "Essays on behavioral finance," Other publications TiSEM 05059039-5236-42a3-be1b-3, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
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