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Fundamental strength strategy: The role of investor sentiment versus limits to arbitrage

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  • Zhu, Zhaobo
  • Sun, Licheng
  • Yung, Kenneth

Abstract

This paper evaluates the return predictability of fundamental strength in a two-dimensional framework that considers both investor sentiment and limits to arbitrage simultaneously. Sentiment and limits to arbitrage have independent and overlapping explanatory power on the return predictability of fundamental strength. The return predictability of fundamental strength is more pronounced among stocks with high arbitrage costs following high sentiment. Among stocks with low arbitrage costs, the fundamental strength strategy is profitable only following high sentiment. However, among stocks with high arbitrage costs, the same strategy can earn economically and statistically significant profits even following low sentiment. Consistent with Miller (1977), we emphasize the interaction of sentiment and limits to arbitrage on stock valuation.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhu, Zhaobo & Sun, Licheng & Yung, Kenneth, 2020. "Fundamental strength strategy: The role of investor sentiment versus limits to arbitrage," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finana:v:71:y:2020:i:c:s1057521919304284
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irfa.2020.101452
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Investor sentiment; Limits to arbitrage; Fundamental strength; Mispricing;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading

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