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Be greedy when others are fearful: Evidence from a two-decade assessment of the NDX 100 and S&P 500 indexes

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  • Day, Min-Yuh
  • Ni, Yensen

Abstract

This study explores the profitability of trading range breakout (TRB) trading rules and commonly used moving average (MA) trading rules in the NDX 100 and S&P 500 indices. Its objective is to offer practical insights for investors who own QQQ and SPY, two popular ETFs that track these two indices. Using big data analytics, the study reveals that investors who trade and hold these two ETFs can potentially profit from using TRB instead of MA trading rules. Unexpectedly as opposed to buying signals from TRB trading rules or momentum MA trading rules, investors may obtain much higher returns by purchasing these ETFs (i.e., QQQ and SPY) as selling signals emitted by TRB rules, particularly by buying these ETFs as stock prices break below 150-day low and 200-day low, a situation in which many investors may experience panic due to the continuously falling share price. As such, we argue that our findings may suggest that being greedy when others are fearful (i.e., the Warren Buffett quote) is of significance to this study.

Suggested Citation

  • Day, Min-Yuh & Ni, Yensen, 2023. "Be greedy when others are fearful: Evidence from a two-decade assessment of the NDX 100 and S&P 500 indexes," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finana:v:90:y:2023:i:c:s1057521923003721
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irfa.2023.102856
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