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Longs, shorts, and the cross-section of stock returns

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  • Nezafat, Mahdi
  • Shen, Tao
  • Wang, Qinghai
  • Wu, Julie

Abstract

We study the relation between severe investor disagreement and stock returns based on the observed short-interest and long positions of hedge funds. We show strong disagreements are prevalent among active, sophisticated investors. From 1997 to 2014, 30% of highly shorted stocks have high hedge fund ownership, but these stocks do not earn abnormal returns. Evidence shows that large simultaneous holdings of short sellers and hedge fund managers likely arise from their information-acquisition activities. Although active long or short positions on average predict subsequent stock returns, neither long investors nor short sellers consistently prevail when the two sides disagree.

Suggested Citation

  • Nezafat, Mahdi & Shen, Tao & Wang, Qinghai & Wu, Julie, 2022. "Longs, shorts, and the cross-section of stock returns," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:138:y:2022:i:c:s0378426622000103
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2022.106410
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Short selling; Hedge funds; Stock returns; Strong investor disagreement;
    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

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