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Does short selling improve stock price efficiency and liquidity? Evidence from a natural experiment in China

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  • Zhisheng Li
  • Bingxuan Lin
  • Ting Zhang
  • Chen Chen

Abstract

China introduced short selling for designated stocks in March 2010. Using this important policy change as a natural experiment, we examine the effect of short selling on stock price efficiency and liquidity. We show that the introduction of short selling significantly improves price efficiency, as measured by the differences in individual stock responses to market returns and the delay in price adjustments. Short selling also enhances stock liquidity, as measured by bid-ask spread and Amihud [2002. ‘Illiquidity and Stock Returns: Cross-section and Time-series Effects.’ Journal of Financial Markets 5: 31–56] illiquidity measure; and reduces stock volatility. Overall, our results suggest that short selling helps to stabilize asset prices, provides additional liquidity and improves market quality, even in an emerging economy with a less developed stock market than that in the US and Europe.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhisheng Li & Bingxuan Lin & Ting Zhang & Chen Chen, 2018. "Does short selling improve stock price efficiency and liquidity? Evidence from a natural experiment in China," The European Journal of Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(15), pages 1350-1368, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:eurjfi:v:24:y:2018:i:15:p:1350-1368
    DOI: 10.1080/1351847X.2017.1307772
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    Cited by:

    1. Lian, Yujun & Wang, Jun & Huang, Manqi, 2024. "Fast or slow: Unveiling the speed of market leverage adjustment in China," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    2. Dasilas, Apostolos, 2022. "The impact of margin trading and short selling on the investment-to-price sensitivity. Evidence from China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    3. Anwer, Zaheer & Mohamad, Shamsher & Paltrinieri, Andrea & Hassan, M. Kabir, 2021. "Dividend payout policy of Shariah compliant firms: Evidence from United States," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    4. Ning Hu & Siqi Lu & Tao Ma & Jianfang Ye, 2020. "Short‐selling and cost of equity: evidence from China," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 60(4), pages 3681-3707, December.
    5. Ye, Qing & Zhou, Shengjie & Zhang, Jie, 2020. "Short-selling, margin-trading, and stock liquidity: Evidence from the Chinese stock markets," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    6. Fan, Yi & Gao, Yang, 2024. "Short selling, informational efficiency, and extreme stock price adjustment," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 89(PA), pages 1009-1028.
    7. Chen, Xinxin & Guo, Yanhong & Song, Yingying, 2024. "Multiple time scales investor sentiment impact the stock market index fluctuation: From margin trading business perspective," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 69(PA).
    8. Liu, Jia & Fu, Pengju & Lin, Chunyan, 2023. "Rule improvements and irrational characteristics of herd behaviour–The effects of SMT policy," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
    9. Hui Ding & Xiaoran Ni & Hongmei Xu, 2021. "Short selling and labor investment efficiency: evidence from the Chinese stock market," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 61(S1), pages 2451-2476, April.
    10. Wan, Xiaoyuan, 2020. "The impact of short-selling and margin-buying on liquidity: Evidence from the Chinese stock market," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 104-118.
    11. Tang, Siyuan & Luo, Runmei, 2024. "Price deregulation and investors’ IPO speculation: Evidence from Chinese registration system reform," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    12. Feng, Lixuan & Xiang, Cheng, 2023. "Short-selling and mutual fund herding: The Chinese evidence," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    13. Ali, Heba, 2019. "Does downside risk matter more in asset pricing? Evidence from China," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 154-174.

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