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Skewness, short interest and the efficiency of stock prices

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  • Benjamin M Blau
  • Ryan J Whitby

Abstract

We examine the association between return skewness, short interest and the efficiency of stock prices. Since preferences for skewness have been shown to impact asset prices, we examine how skewness relates to market efficiency. We find that stocks with positive skewness are less efficient, which might be explained by investor preferences for positive skewness. Next, we document that short interest reduces both total skewness and idiosyncratic skewness. Finally, while research has shown that short selling can improve the efficiency of markets generally, we show that short interest’s ability to improve market efficiency is strongest in stocks with the highest skewness.

Suggested Citation

  • Benjamin M Blau & Ryan J Whitby, 2018. "Skewness, short interest and the efficiency of stock prices," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 50(20), pages 2229-2242, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:applec:v:50:y:2018:i:20:p:2229-2242
    DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2017.1394971
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    Cited by:

    1. Aliani, Khaoula & Al-kayed, Lama & Boujlil, Rhada, 2022. "COVID-19 effect on Islamic vs. conventional banks’ stock prices: Case of GCC countries," The Journal of Economic Asymmetries, Elsevier, vol. 26(C).
    2. Baig, Ahmed & Butt, Hassan Anjum & Fitwi, Abrar & Smith, Joey, 2021. "Does Innovation Explain the Skewness of Stock Returns?," American Business Review, Pompea College of Business, University of New Haven, vol. 24(2), pages 12-31, November.
    3. Tsai, Chia-Fen & Chang, Jung-Hsien & Tsai, Feng-Tse, 2021. "Lottery preferences and retail short selling," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    4. Kelley Bergsma & Jitendra Tayal, 2019. "Short Interest and Lottery Stocks," Financial Management, Financial Management Association International, vol. 48(1), pages 187-227, March.
    5. Baig, Ahmed S. & Sabah, Nasim, 2020. "Does short selling affect the clustering of stock prices?," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 270-277.

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