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Limits of arbitrage and their impact on market efficiency: Evidence from China

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  • Chen, Jian
  • Haboub, Ahmad
  • Khan, Ali

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of limits of arbitrage (LOA) on market efficiency by considering a large sample of Chinese stocks. Intraday market efficiency is measured using two widely used measures: the intraday return predictability measure and the variance ratio measure. We find that LOA plays a major role in driving market efficiency. We also use an exogenous shock, the introduction of Shenzhen Stock Connect, which increases trade volume and lowers LOA, to examine the impact of LOA on market efficiency. Our results indicate that this event improves market efficiency regarding both our measures. Therefore, we conclude that policy makers in China are acting in the right direction to elevate China's status in world markets by adapting policies that inherently make the country more attractive to global investors by lowering LOA and enhancing market efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Jian & Haboub, Ahmad & Khan, Ali, 2024. "Limits of arbitrage and their impact on market efficiency: Evidence from China," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:glofin:v:59:y:2024:i:c:s1044028323001114
    DOI: 10.1016/j.gfj.2023.100916
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Limits of arbitrage; Market efficiency; Chinese stock market; Intraday return predictability; And high-frequency trading;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E44 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Financial Markets and the Macroeconomy
    • F65 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Finance
    • 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
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors

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