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The Information Content of Abnormal Trading Volume

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  • Emanuele Bajo

Abstract

This paper investigates the way in which abnormal trading volume reveals new information to market participants. It is generally thought that trading volume is an efficient proxy for information flow and enhances the information set of investors. However, no research has related the presence of abnormal trading volume to firm characteristics, such as ownership and governance structure, which also have a theoretical link to information quality. I find strong excess returns around extreme trading levels, which are only moderately attributable to information disclosure. Moreover, these returns are not caused by liquidity fluctuations since prices do not reverse over the following period. In contrast, there is evidence of price momentum, suggesting that traders can implement successful portfolio strategies based on observation of current volumes.

Suggested Citation

  • Emanuele Bajo, 2010. "The Information Content of Abnormal Trading Volume," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(7‐8), pages 950-978, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jbfnac:v:37:y:2010:i:7-8:p:950-978
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-5957.2010.02197.x
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    3. Liu, Qingfu & Hua, Renhai & An, Yunbi, 2016. "Determinants and information content of intraday bid-ask spreads: Evidence from Chinese commodity futures markets," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 135-148.
    4. Malay K. Dey & Chaoyan Wang, 2022. "Asymmetric volume volatility causality in dual listing H-shares," Journal of Asset Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 23(5), pages 419-428, September.
    5. Alexis Cellier & Pierre Chollet & Jean†François Gajewski, 2016. "Do Investors Trade around Social Rating Announcements?," European Financial Management, European Financial Management Association, vol. 22(3), pages 484-515, June.
    6. Sonia Sanabria, 2004. "Comportamiento De Los Precios Y Volúmenes De Negociación Ante Anuncios De Beneficios Anuales," Working Papers. Serie EC 2004-03, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Económicas, S.A. (Ivie).
    7. Gębka, Bartosz & Serwa, Dobromił, 2015. "The elusive nature of motives to trade: Evidence from international stock markets," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 147-157.
    8. Moses, Olayinka & Houqe, Muhammad Nurul & van Zijl, Tony, 2018. "What is the economic value of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) information disclosure?," Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 14(2), pages 216-233.
    9. Chun-Teck Lye & Tuan-Hock Ng & Kwee-Pheng Lim & Chin-Yee Gan, 2020. "Investor protection and market reaction to unusual market activity replies," International Journal of Emerging Markets, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 16(8), pages 2034-2069, July.
    10. Bartosz Gębka & Dobromił Serwa, 2012. "Liquidity needs, private information, feedback trading: verifying motives to trade," NBP Working Papers 119, Narodowy Bank Polski.
    11. Emna JABALLAH & Wided YOUSFI & Mohamed Ali ZARAI, 2014. "Quality of financial reports: Evidence from the Tunisian firms," E3 Journal of Business Management and Economics., E3 Journals, vol. 5(2), pages 030-038.
    12. Elshandidy, Tamer & Fraser, Ian & Hussainey, Khaled, 2013. "Aggregated, voluntary, and mandatory risk disclosure incentives: Evidence from UK FTSE all-share companies," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 320-333.
    13. Wright, Calvin & Swidler, Steve, 2023. "Abnormal trading volume, news and market efficiency: Evidence from the Jamaica Stock Exchange," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    14. Ying-Sing Liu, 2021. "The Impact of Trading Information Sets on Exchange Rate Change and Volatility: Evidence From Taiwan," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(4), pages 21582440211, November.

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