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Education and financial mistakes: The case of avoidable trading fees in stock markets

Author

Listed:
  • Paulo Pereira Silva

    (CMVM-Portuguese Securities Commission
    Universidade de Évora)

  • Victor Mendes

    (CMVM-Portuguese Securities Commission
    Universidade de Évora
    CICEE - Research Center in Business and Economics)

Abstract

We study a quasi-natural experiment that altered the structure of commission fee schedules applied to retail investors in the Portuguese stock market in 2003. Using a difference-in-differences analysis, we show that investors with a university degree, financial knowledge and numerical skills demonstrate greater ability and eagerness in adjusting their trading patterns to the new commission schedules. The impact of education was stronger for those lacking trading experience. Investors with a university degree that were more prone to issue small orders before the event were also more eager to scale up their order size.

Suggested Citation

  • Paulo Pereira Silva & Victor Mendes, 2023. "Education and financial mistakes: The case of avoidable trading fees in stock markets," Portuguese Economic Journal, Springer;Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestao, vol. 22(2), pages 173-202, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:portec:v:22:y:2023:i:2:d:10.1007_s10258-022-00209-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10258-022-00209-y
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