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Religion and insider trading profits

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  • Contreras, Harold
  • Korczak, Adriana
  • Korczak, Piotr

Abstract

We use the controversial aspect of insider trading to analyze the impact of local social norms on insiders’ profits. We argue that religiosity is a source of social norms curbing self-interested behavior and, accordingly, it limits corporate insiders’ opportunistic trading on private information. Our results confirm that trades by insiders in firms located in more religious areas are followed by lower profits, those insiders are less likely to trade on future earnings news, and their trades are less likely to be opportunistic. The effect of religion on profitability of insider trading holds across different levels of disclosure environments and is more pronounced in firms with poor corporate governance. Overall, we offer new insights into the effect of social norms on individuals’ financial decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Contreras, Harold & Korczak, Adriana & Korczak, Piotr, 2023. "Religion and insider trading profits," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:149:y:2023:i:c:s0378426623000183
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2023.106778
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Religion; Social norms; Insider trading; Profits; Opportunism; Corporate governance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G41 - Financial Economics - - Behavioral Finance - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making in Financial Markets
    • Z12 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Religion

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