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Herding, information uncertainty and investors' cognitive profile

Author

Listed:
  • Beatriz Fernández
  • Teresa Garcia‐Merino
  • Rosa Mayoral
  • Valle Santos
  • Eleuterio Vallelado

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to analyze the interaction between the availability of financial information and individuals' cognitive profiles to explain investors' herding behavior. Design/methodology/approach - The authors designed and conducted an experiment to observe the behavior of subjects in three settings, each with a different level of information. Findings - Results confirm that a dependence relation exists between information, investors' behavioral biases and the herding phenomenon. Moreover, the experiment shows that information concerning the number of previous transactions in the market is particularly relevant to explain herding propensity among investors. The findings indicate that the cognitive profile of investors is more relevant as the availability of information increases and the number of previous transactions in the market is low. Research limitations/implications - Future research should examine further the best way to measure the individual's cognitive profile and its interaction with information limitation in financial markets. The presence of high levels of uncertainty favors herding behavior regardless of inter‐individual differences, and only when the availability of information is high and the number of transactions is low does the subjects' cognitive profile explain the investors' herding behavior. Finally, it is observed that not all public information receives the same attention by investors. The attractiveness of public information requires further attention. Social implications - The herding phenomenon is difficult to anticipate because there are factors of a very diverse nature that intervene. Originality/value - The research described in this paper measures investors' cognitive profile to identify the interaction between availability of information, cognitive profile and herding.

Suggested Citation

  • Beatriz Fernández & Teresa Garcia‐Merino & Rosa Mayoral & Valle Santos & Eleuterio Vallelado, 2011. "Herding, information uncertainty and investors' cognitive profile," Qualitative Research in Financial Markets, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 3(1), pages 7-33, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:qrfmpp:v:3:y:2011:i:1:p:7-33
    DOI: 10.1108/17554171111124595
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Woodhouse, Sam Alan & Singh, Harminder & Bhattacharya, Sukanto & Kumar, Kuldeep, 2016. "Invisible walls: Do psychological barriers really exist in stock index levels?," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 267-278.
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    5. Puput Tri Komalasari & Marwan Asri & Bernardinus M. Purwanto & Bowo Setiyono, 2022. "Herding behaviour in the capital market: What do we know and what is next?," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 72(3), pages 745-787, September.
    6. Tahira Iram & Ahmad Raza Bilal & Zeshan Ahmad & Shahid Latif, 2023. "Does Financial Mindfulness Make a Difference? A Nexus of Financial Literacy and Behavioural Biases in Women Entrepreneurs," IIM Kozhikode Society & Management Review, , vol. 12(1), pages 7-21, January.
    7. Tian, Xin & Song, Yan & Luo, Chunlin & Zhou, Xiaoyang & Lev, Benjamin, 2021. "Herding behavior in supplier innovation crowdfunding: Evidence from Kickstarter," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 239(C).
    8. Saeed Ahmad Sabir & Hisham Bin Mohammad & Hanita Binti Kadir Shahar, 2019. "The Role of Overconfidence and Past Investment Experience in Herding Behaviour with a Moderating Effect of Financial Literacy: Evidence from Pakistan Stock Exchange," Asian Economic and Financial Review, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 9(4), pages 480-490, April.
    9. Hyunwoo Woo & So Young Sohn, 2022. "A credit scoring model based on the Myers–Briggs type indicator in online peer-to-peer lending," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 8(1), pages 1-19, December.
    10. Jinesh Jain & Nidhi Walia & Simarjeet Singh & Esha Jain, 2022. "Mapping the field of behavioural biases: a literature review using bibliometric analysis," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 72(3), pages 823-855, September.

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