IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/finlet/v80y2025ics154461232500707x.html

AI competition and firm value: Evidence from DeepSeek’s disruption

Author

Listed:
  • Yang, Xing

Abstract

DeepSeek’s recent breakthrough has intensified the debate over global AI competition. Using real-time data from Yahoo Finance, I find strong evidence that U.S. AI firms respond positively to the release of the DeepSeek R1 model, contradicting media concerns that disruptive AI competition harms firm value. A heterogeneity analysis reveals that firms with fewer resources experience stronger initial gains but underperform their more resource-rich counterparts over longer event windows. Additionally, GPU providers faced negative market reactions, suggesting that cost-efficient AI models may reduce reliance on large-scale GPU infrastructure. This research provides timely insights into the evolving impact of AI competition on firm valuation and industry dynamics.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang, Xing, 2025. "AI competition and firm value: Evidence from DeepSeek’s disruption," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:80:y:2025:i:c:s154461232500707x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2025.107447
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S154461232500707X
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.frl.2025.107447?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Philippe Aghion & Nick Bloom & Richard Blundell & Rachel Griffith & Peter Howitt, 2005. "Competition and Innovation: an Inverted-U Relationship," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 120(2), pages 701-728.
    2. Iman Ahmadi, 2023. "Face/Off: The adverse effects of increased competition," Quantitative Marketing and Economics (QME), Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 183-279, June.
    3. Douglas L. Miller, 2023. "An Introductory Guide to Event Study Models," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 37(2), pages 203-230, Spring.
    4. Xia, Xiaoxue & Xiao, Yao, 2023. "Firm-level perception of competition and innovation: Textual evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).
    5. Nicolas, Maxime L.D. & Desroziers, Adrien & Caccioli, Fabio & Aste, Tomaso, 2024. "ESG reputation risk matters: An event study based on social media data," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    6. Heyden, Kim J. & Heyden, Thomas, 2021. "Market reactions to the arrival and containment of COVID-19: An event study," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 38(C).
    7. Siamak Javadi & Mark Kroll & Yu Liu, 2025. "The dark side of competition in developing economies: Evidence from closely held SMEs," The Financial Review, Eastern Finance Association, vol. 60(1), pages 201-229, February.
    8. A. Craig MacKinlay, 1997. "Event Studies in Economics and Finance," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 35(1), pages 13-39, March.
    9. Jesse Perla & Christopher Tonetti & Michael E. Waugh, 2021. "Equilibrium Technology Diffusion, Trade, and Growth," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 111(1), pages 73-128, January.
    10. Binder, John J, 1998. "The Event Study Methodology since 1969," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 11(2), pages 111-137, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Frédéric Marty & Thierry Warin, 2025. "Territorial Control of Data and Compute in Generative AI: A New Paradigm of Competitive Advantage," Working Papers halshs-05272052, HAL.
    2. Ma, Yuan & Zhang, Wenchao & Ma, Chengxiang & Ai, Yudong & Hu, Jun, 2025. "Artificial intelligence, data elements, digital economy, and corporate innovation performance," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    3. Ge, Jiaying & Yang, Xing, 2025. "Domestic AI competition: Is DeepSeek a competitor or catalyst to Chinese AI firms?," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 85(PB).
    4. Wang, Shuwen & Yang, Ruiqi & Li, Yanru, 2025. "Collateral reform and firm value: Empirical evidence from the natural experiment of civil code of the PRC," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    5. Shi, Yu & Wu, Tong & Qin, Chuan & Liu, Bailu, 2025. "The value-creating potential of AI: A multi-dimensional analysis of effects and mechanisms," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 108(PB).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Dharen Kumar Pandey & Waleed M. Al‐ahdal & Hafiza Aishah Hashim, 2024. "Stock market reaction to mandatory sustainability reporting: Does carbon‐intensity and environmental, social, and governance reputation matter?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(8), pages 9116-9140, December.
    2. Chia-Lin Chang & Shu-Han Hsu & Michael McAleer, 2018. "An Event Study Analysis of Political Events, Disasters, and Accidents for Chinese Tourists to Taiwan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-77, November.
    3. Sebastien Bradley & Estelle Dauchy & Makoto Hasegawa, 2018. "Investor valuations of Japan’s adoption of a territorial tax regime: quantifying the direct and competitive effects of international tax reform," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 25(3), pages 581-630, June.
    4. Matteo Foglia & Eliana Angelini, 2024. "A Riskmas Carol," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 25(2_suppl), pages 121-137, April.
    5. Serkan Yilmaz Kandir & Gozde Elbir Mermer, 2024. "Investigating the Impact of Renewable Energy Investment Announcements on Stock Returns of Borsa Istanbul Energy Companies," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 14(6), pages 542-547, November.
    6. Sanae Ait Jillali & Mohammed Belkasseh, 2023. "IPOs performance evaluation: Which methodology to opt for?," Post-Print halshs-04322482, HAL.
    7. Demirer, RIza & Kutan, Ali M., 2010. "The behavior of crude oil spot and futures prices around OPEC and SPR announcements: An event study perspective," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 32(6), pages 1467-1476, November.
    8. Xu, Mingli & Yang, Wei & Huang, Zhixiong, 2021. "Do investor relations matter in the tourism industry? Evidence from public opinions in China," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 923-933.
    9. Sumiko Takaoka, 2006. "Product Defects and the Value of the Firm in Japan: The Impact of the Product Liability Law," The Journal of Legal Studies, University of Chicago Press, vol. 35(1), pages 61-84, January.
    10. Kentaro Azuma & Nicolas M. Dahan & Jonathan Doh, 2024. "Shareholder reaction to corporate philanthropy after a natural disaster: an empirical exploration of the “signaling financial prospects” explanation," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 41(3), pages 1421-1449, September.
    11. Carsten M. Stann & Theocharis N. Grigoriadis, 2020. "Monetary Policy Transmission to Russia and Eastern Europe," Comparative Economic Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Association for Comparative Economic Studies, vol. 62(2), pages 303-353, June.
    12. Hamdi Jbir, 2025. "Does financial stability communication affect financial asset prices? Evidence from the Bank of England's communication experiment," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(2), pages 1831-1855, April.
    13. Chen, Zhang-Hangjian & Kang, JingWen & Koedijk, Kees G. & Gao, Xiang & Gu, ZhenHua, 2024. "Short-term market reactions to ESG ratings disclosures: An event study in the Chinese stock market," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 43(C).
    14. Andrieș, Alin Marius & Ongena, Steven & Sprincean, Nicu, 2021. "The COVID-19 Pandemic and Sovereign Bond Risk," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    15. George Halkos & Argyro Zisiadou, 2020. "Is Investors’ Psychology Affected Due to a Potential Unexpected Environmental Disaster?," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-24, July.
    16. Furdui Călin & Șfabu Dorina Teodora, 2023. "The European Banks Under the Shock of the Russian Invasion of 2022: An Event Study Approach," Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai Oeconomica, Sciendo, vol. 68(1), pages 62-77, April.
    17. Impullitti, Giammario & Akcigit, Ufuk & Ates, Sina T., 2018. "Innovation and Trade Policy in a Globalized World," CEPR Discussion Papers 15804, Centre for Economic Policy Research.
    18. Omer Ahmed Sayed & Hussein Eledum, 2023. "The short‐run response of Saudi Arabia stock market to the outbreak of COVID‐19 pandemic: An event‐study methodology," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(3), pages 2367-2381, July.
    19. Sun, Changyou & Liao, Xianchun, 2011. "Effects of litigation under the Endangered Species Act on forest firm values," Journal of Forest Economics, Elsevier, vol. 17(4), pages 388-398.
    20. Wang, Zhixuan & Dong, Yanli & Liu, Ailan, 2022. "How does China's stock market react to supply chain disruptions from COVID-19?," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    JEL classification:

    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:80:y:2025:i:c:s154461232500707x. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/frl .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.