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The efficacy of regulatory intervention: Evidence from the distribution of informed option trading

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  • Anderson, Ronald C.
  • Reeb, David M.
  • Zhang, Yuzhao
  • Zhao, Wanli

Abstract

A substantive body of equity-market academic research documents an extensive range of costs arising from the SEC’s October 2000 adoption of strictures on selective disclosure and insider trading; suggesting an unusual outcome, specifically, an increase in informed trading. We investigate the efficacy of the SEC’s regulations by examining informed trading in an attractive setting for exploiting private information; the options market. Using data on the S&P 1500 industrial firms, our analysis indicates that about 38% of firms exhibited symptoms of informed option trading prior to regulatory intervention. After regulatory intervention, we observe that only 19% of firms show symptoms of informed trading. In additional testing of ADR firms – explicitly exempt from complying with Reg FD, we find no evidence of a change in informed option trading from pre- to post-regulation; suggesting that the SEC’s strictures on US firms led a to a significant reduction in informed option trading. Notably, our proxies for large shareholder and financial analyst access are associated with the largest decreases in informed option trading. In developing a unique measure of informed trading based on option market data, we provide evidence on the efficacy of security regulation in limiting informed trading.

Suggested Citation

  • Anderson, Ronald C. & Reeb, David M. & Zhang, Yuzhao & Zhao, Wanli, 2013. "The efficacy of regulatory intervention: Evidence from the distribution of informed option trading," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 37(11), pages 4337-4352.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:37:y:2013:i:11:p:4337-4352
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2013.07.037
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    Cited by:

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    2. Wang, Xiaoqiong & Wei, Siqi, 2021. "Does the investment horizon of institutional investors matter for stock liquidity?," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    3. Paul Borochin & Jie Yang, 2016. "The Effects of Institutional Investor Objectives on Firm Valuation and Governance," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2016-088, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
    4. Borochin, Paul & Yang, Jie, 2017. "The effects of institutional investor objectives on firm valuation and governance," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 126(1), pages 171-199.
    5. Chen, Yanyan & Tian, Gary Gang & Yao, Daifei Troy, 2019. "Does regulating executive compensation impact insider trading?," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 1-20.
    6. Cristhian Mellado & Surendranath R. Jory & Thanh N. Ngo, 2016. "Do Option Traders Target Firms With Poor Earnings Quality," 2016 Papers pme563, Job Market Papers.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Informed trading measures; Options market; Selective disclosure; Stochastic dominance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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