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Earnings shocks, price responses, and short selling behavior

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  • Choy, Siu Kai
  • Zhang, Hua

Abstract

Existing researches usually study short sellers' behavior along a single dimension such as earnings news without considering the implications of multiple signals. In this paper, we investigate short selling behavior at earnings announcement period by using the shorting data from the Regulation SHO pilot program for the period January 2005 to July 2007. First, we document that, in about one third of our sample, earnings surprises and corresponding market price changes have opposite signs. By investigating how short sellers trade when earnings shocks and market price responses are of opposite signs, we find that there are more short selling activities when the market responds positively to negative earnings surprises; and that there are fewer short selling activities when the market responds negatively to positive earnings surprises. Overall, the shorting intensity at announcement period depends on both the earnings shock and price response signals.

Suggested Citation

  • Choy, Siu Kai & Zhang, Hua, 2021. "Earnings shocks, price responses, and short selling behavior," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finana:v:78:y:2021:i:c:s105752192100260x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irfa.2021.101939
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Li, Wencong & Yang, Xingquan & Yin, Xingqiang, 2022. "Non-state shareholders entering of state-owned enterprises and equity mispricing: Evidence from China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).

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