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Asset pricing when social preference meets lottery preference: Evidence from China

Author

Listed:
  • Lu, Jing
  • Ran, Rong
  • Ko, Kuan-Cheng
  • Yang, Nien-Tzu

Abstract

There is substantial evidence indicating that stocks with lottery-like payoffs have lower returns. Unlike existing studies that focus on the role of investor behavior in accelerating lottery premiums, we propose that investors’ social preference toward corporate social responsibility (CSR) could alleviate the underperformance of lottery-like stocks. Using a sample of all Chinese listed A-share stocks, we show that a negative relationship between lottery preference and stock returns does not exist among stocks that behave well regarding CSR performance. Furthermore, we show that better CSR performance and higher institutional ownership mitigate the overpricing of lottery-like stocks. Our research contributes to CSR literature by showing that behaving socially responsible can prevent stock prices from being overpriced when the stock exhibits lottery-like payoffs.

Suggested Citation

  • Lu, Jing & Ran, Rong & Ko, Kuan-Cheng & Yang, Nien-Tzu, 2025. "Asset pricing when social preference meets lottery preference: Evidence from China," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 73(PA).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:riibaf:v:73:y:2025:i:pa:s0275531924003696
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ribaf.2024.102576
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Corporate social responsibility; Social preference; Lottery preference; Stock returns;
    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
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility

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