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Low-risk anomaly: Idiosyncratic risk or return distribution

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  • Li, Tianyang
  • Li, Yinzhu

Abstract

This study examined low-risk anomalies to investigate underlying causes based on data from the Chinese stock market. The low-risk anomaly was concentrated among small firms, driven by idiosyncratic volatility(IV thereafter)11IV is the abbreviation for idiosyncratic volatility. and distribution variables (e.g., past returns). (1) The predictive power of distribution variables depended on low investor sentiment; IV exhibited persistent performance. (2) Arbitrage asymmetry explained the performance of IV. (3) Trade volume was key to pricing past returns. IV was less affected by trade volume; under high sentiment, trade volume earned significant returns among extreme winner and loser portfolios, decreasing return reversal strength.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Tianyang & Li, Yinzhu, 2025. "Low-risk anomaly: Idiosyncratic risk or return distribution," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:74:y:2025:i:c:s1544612325000200
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2025.106755
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    References listed on IDEAS

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