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Measuring the association between short selling and price efficiency: A new stock-level analysis

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  • Park, Yumi
  • Suh, Sangwon

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between short selling and price efficiency using a novel approach. We introduce new association indices based on multiple dimensions of price efficiency, enabling both market-wide and stock-level analysis while complementing existing methods. We define good short selling as improving price efficiency, and bad short selling as diminishing it. Applying this method to the Korean stock market demonstrates that this new perspective can offer fresh insights into the relationship between short sales and price efficiency. The proposed method yields market-wide results that diverge from conventional methods under some efficiency criteria, while aligning with them under others. It also quantifies the proportion of good and bad short selling at the individual stock level, supporting the broader market-level findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Park, Yumi & Suh, Sangwon, 2025. "Measuring the association between short selling and price efficiency: A new stock-level analysis," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:pacfin:v:93:y:2025:i:c:s0927538x25002112
    DOI: 10.1016/j.pacfin.2025.102874
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • G10 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • 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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