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Ambiguity, asset illiquidity, and price variability

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  • Zhou, Tong

Abstract

I develop a sequential trading model with ambiguity-averse market makers and provide a theoretical explanation to the historical coincidence of ambiguous events, asset illiquidity, and price variability. My model implies that the bid-ask spread of an asset contains an additive component of ambiguity premium. As a result, higher ambiguity generally leads to lower asset liquidity. More interestingly, asset prices are variable under particular conditions: specifically, only mixed-strategy equilibria exist, such that market makers probabilistically set multiple prices. Further analysis confirms that, compared with risk, ambiguity plays a unique role in explaining price variability.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhou, Tong, 2021. "Ambiguity, asset illiquidity, and price variability," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 280-292.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:191:y:2021:i:c:p:280-292
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2021.08.034
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Ambiguity aversion; Ambiguity premium; Liquidity; Price variability;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors
    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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