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The drivers and implications of retail margin trading

Author

Listed:
  • Bian, Jiangze
  • Da, Zhi
  • He, Zhiguo
  • Lou, Dong
  • Shue, Kelly
  • Zhou, Hao

Abstract

Using granular data covering both regulated (brokerage-financed) and unregulated (shadowfinanced) margin accounts in China, we provide novel evidence on retail investors’ margin trading behavior and its price implications. First, we show that retail investors’ decisions to lever up in stock trading despite the hefty borrowing cost is related to their lottery preferences. We then show that margin borrowing affects investors’ trading behavior: investors are more likely to liquidate their holdings as they inch closer to margin calls. Third, we show that margin-induced trading aggregates to affect asset prices and contributes to shock spillovers across stocks (for example, from lottery stocks to non-lottery stocks).

Suggested Citation

  • Bian, Jiangze & Da, Zhi & He, Zhiguo & Lou, Dong & Shue, Kelly & Zhou, Hao, 2024. "The drivers and implications of retail margin trading," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 126110, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:126110
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    File URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/126110/
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    margin-induced trading; leverage; liquidation; contagion;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • 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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