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Retail Short Selling and Stock Prices

Author

Listed:
  • Eric K. Kelley
  • Paul C. Tetlock

Abstract

Using proprietary data on millions of trades by retail investors, we provide the first large-scale evidence that retail short selling predicts negative stock returns. A portfolio that mimics weekly retail shorting earns an annualized risk-adjusted return of 9%. The predictive ability of retail short selling lasts for one year and is not subsumed by institutional short selling. In contrast to institutional shorting, retail shorting best predicts returns in small stocks and those that are heavily bought by other retail investors. Our findings are consistent with retail short sellers having unique insights into the retail investor community and small firms’ fundamentals.

Suggested Citation

  • Eric K. Kelley & Paul C. Tetlock, 2017. "Retail Short Selling and Stock Prices," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 30(3), pages 801-834.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:rfinst:v:30:y:2017:i:3:p:801-834.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/rfs/hhw089
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G02 - Financial Economics - - General - - - Behavioral Finance: Underlying Principles
    • 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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