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Investor Sentiment, Limited Arbitrage, and the Cash Holding Effect

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  • Xiafei Li
  • Di Luo

Abstract

We examine the investor sentiment and limits-to-arbitrage explanations for the positive cross-sectional relation between cash holdings and future stock returns. Consistent with the investor sentiment hypothesis, we find that the cash holding effect is significant when sentiment is low, and it is insignificant when sentiment is high. In addition, the cash holding effect is strong among stocks with high transaction costs, high short selling costs, and large idiosyncratic volatility, indicating that arbitrage on the cash holding effect is costly and risky. In line with the limits-to-arbitrage hypothesis, high costs and risk prevent rational investors from exploiting the cash holding effect.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiafei Li & Di Luo, 2017. "Investor Sentiment, Limited Arbitrage, and the Cash Holding Effect," Review of Finance, European Finance Association, vol. 21(6), pages 2141-2168.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:revfin:v:21:y:2017:i:6:p:2141-2168.
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jensen, Michael C. & Meckling, William H., 1976. "Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structure," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 3(4), pages 305-360, October.
    2. Gopalan, Radhakrishnan & Kadan, Ohad & Pevzner, Mikhail, 2012. "Asset Liquidity and Stock Liquidity," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 47(2), pages 333-364, April.
    3. Jensen, Michael C, 1986. "Agency Costs of Free Cash Flow, Corporate Finance, and Takeovers," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 76(2), pages 323-329, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yang, Chunpeng & Hu, Xiaoyi, 2021. "Individual stock sentiment beta and stock returns," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).
    2. Chuan ‘Chewie’ Ang, Tze & Lam, F.Y. Eric C. & Ma, Tai & Wang, Shujing & Wei, K.C. John, 2019. "What is the real relationship between cash holdings and stock returns?," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 513-528.
    3. Wang, Wenzhao & Su, Chen & Duxbury, Darren, 2021. "Investor sentiment and stock returns: Global evidence," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 365-391.
    4. Apergis, Nicholas, 2022. "Overconfidence and US stock market returns," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 45(C).
    5. Li, Xiafei & Luo, Di, 2020. "Increase in cash holdings of U.S. firms: The role of healthcare and technology industries," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 286-298.
    6. Zhu, Zhaobo & Sun, Licheng & Yung, Kenneth, 2020. "Fundamental strength strategy: The role of investor sentiment versus limits to arbitrage," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cash holdings; Investor sentiment; Transaction costs; Idiosyncratic volatility;
    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
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill

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