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Strategic insider trading: Disguising order flows to escape trading competition

Author

Listed:
  • Gu, Dingwei
  • Liu, Xin
  • Sun, Hanwen
  • Zhao, Huainan

Abstract

Short sellers actively exploit trading opportunities from insider sales. We argue that, in response to concern about potential order flow information leakage, insiders strategically disguise their order flows to escape trading competition. Our model predicts that, when short sellers are sensitive to order flow information, insiders are more likely to adopt a cautious trading strategy, i.e., splitting their trades over time. Empirically, we identify cautious trading by tracking consecutive transactions at the insider-strategy level. We find that, when anticipating intensive short selling potential, (1) insiders tend to trade cautiously; and (2) cautious insiders tend to reduce their initial trades. Overall, we highlight the strategic interaction between insiders and short sellers on the diffusion of order flow information.

Suggested Citation

  • Gu, Dingwei & Liu, Xin & Sun, Hanwen & Zhao, Huainan, 2021. "Strategic insider trading: Disguising order flows to escape trading competition," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:corfin:v:67:y:2021:i:c:s0929119921000110
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2021.101891
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Liyan Yang & Haoxiang Zhu, 2020. "Back-Running: Seeking and Hiding Fundamental Information in Order Flows," Review of Finance, European Finance Association, vol. 33(4), pages 1484-1533.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hoang, Lai T. & Wee, Marvin & Yang, Joey Wenling, 2023. "Strategic trading by insiders in the presence of institutional investors," Journal of Financial Markets, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    2. Bessler, Wolfgang & Vendrasco, Marco, 2022. "Short-selling restrictions and financial stability in Europe: Evidence from the Covid-19 crisis," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Insider trading; Short selling; Order flows; Trading competition; Cautious strategy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • 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
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors

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