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How retail investors affect the stock market?

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  • Zhou, Xiaozhou
  • Zhan, Feng
  • Chan, Chang

Abstract

Using the expansion of price limit regulation as a quasi-natural experiment, this study explores the trade-off between stock market liquidity and price efficiency where retail investors act as de facto market makers. Our empirical results show a significant variation of retail investors' trading activities after the expansion of the daily price limit. Economically, this variation represents around $26.73 million fewer shares per day traded after the regulatory change. Furthermore, we show that this reduction of retail investors' participation leads to a decrease in liquidity, but an improvement in stock price efficiency. Our empirical findings complement the theoretical work of Subrahmanyam (1991) and Han et al. (2016) and highlight the importance and complexity of retail investors' trading activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhou, Xiaozhou & Zhan, Feng & Chan, Chang, 2025. "How retail investors affect the stock market?," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:pacfin:v:90:y:2025:i:c:s0927538x2400372x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.pacfin.2024.102620
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    JEL classification:

    • G01 - Financial Economics - - General - - - Financial Crises
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G18 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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