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Journal of Financial Economics Vol. 104 No. 2 2012

Peer performance and stock market entry

Markku Kaustia1; Samuli Knüpfer2

1 Aalto University · 2 London Business School

Abstract

Peer performance can influence the adoption of financial innovations and investment styles. We present evidence of this type of social influence: recent stock returns that local peers experience affect an individual's stock market entry decision, particularly in areas with better opportunities for social learning. The likelihood of entry does not decrease as returns fall below zero, consistent with people not talking about decisions that have produced inferior outcomes. Market returns, media coverage, local stocks, omitted local variables, short sales constraints, and stock purchases within households do not seem to explain these results.

DOI
10.1016/j.jfineco.2011.01.010
Volume
104
Issue
2
Pages
321-338
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib crossref openalex

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