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Journal of Banking & Finance Vol. 53 2015

Profitability of time series momentum

Xue-Zhong He; Kai Li

University of Technology Sydney

Abstract

We propose a continuous-time heterogeneous agent model consisting of fundamental, momentum, and contrarian traders to explain the significant time series momentum. We show that the performance of momentum strategy is determined by both time horizon and the market dominance of momentum traders. Specifically, when momentum traders are more active in the market, momentum strategies with short (long) time horizons stabilize (destabilize) the market, and meanwhile the market under-reacts (over-reacts) in short-run (long-run). This provides profit opportunity for time series momentum strategies with short horizons and reversal with long horizons. When momentum traders are less active in the market, they always lose. The results provide an insight into the profitability of time series momentum documented in recent empirical studies.

DOI
10.1016/j.jbankfin.2014.12.017
Volume
53
Pages
140-157
Language
en
Sources
openalex crossref bibtex:phds-export.bib

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