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Prospect Theory, Mental Accounting, and Momentum

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  • Mark Grinblatt
  • Bing Han

Abstract

The tendency of some investors to hold on to their losing stocks, driven by prospect theory and mental accounting, creates a spread between a stock's fundamental value and its equilibrium price, as well as price underreaction to information. Spread convergence, arising from the random evolution of fundamental values and updating of reference prices, generates predictable equilibrium prices that will be interpreted as possessing momentum. Cross-sectional empirical tests are consistent with the model. A variable proxying for aggregate unrealized capital gains appears to be the key variable that generates the profitability of a momentum strategy. Past returns have no predictability for the cross-section of returns once this variable is controlled for.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark Grinblatt & Bing Han, 2001. "Prospect Theory, Mental Accounting, and Momentum," Yale School of Management Working Papers amz2533, Yale School of Management, revised 01 May 2007.
    • Handle: RePEc:ysm:wpaper:amz2533
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