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Information Theory and Market Behavior

Author

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  • Jing Chen

    (University of Northern British Columbia)

Abstract

Some recent empirical works indicate that investor performance and market patterns are primarily information driven instead of a behavioral phenomenon. However, Grossman and Stiglitz information theory and its variations offer little guidance in identifying informed investors and in distinguishing between securities with scarce information and those with widely available information. We show that most empirical evidences about market behaviors documented in the literature can be explained by a new information theory generalized from Shannon’s entropy theory of information. Investor performance and market patterns are the results of information processing by investors of different sizes with different background knowledge.

Suggested Citation

  • Jing Chen, 2005. "Information Theory and Market Behavior," Finance 0503009, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwpfi:0503009
    Note: Type of Document - pdf; pages: 26
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. García Ruiz Reyna Susana & Cruz Aké Salvador & Venegas Martínez Francisco, 2014. "Una medida de eficiencia de mercado: Un enfoque de teoría de la información," Contaduría y Administración, Accounting and Management, vol. 59(4), pages 137-166, octubre-d.
    2. Suan Poh & Chee wooi Hooy & Kian-ping Lim, 2017. "Effect of Geographical Diversification on Informational Efficiency in Malaysia," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 37(1), pages 19-29.
    3. Brandouy, Olivier & Delahaye, Jean-Paul & Ma, Lin & Zenil, Hector, 2014. "Algorithmic complexity of financial motions," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 336-347.
    4. Pasca Lucian, 2015. "A Critical Review of the Main Approaches on Financial Market Dynamics Modelling," Journal of Heterodox Economics, Sciendo, vol. 2(2), pages 151-167, December.
    5. Cruz-Aké, Salvador & Venegas-Martínez, Francisco & Cabrera-Ramos, Agustín, 2013. "Irracionalidad En Los Mercados Inmobiliarios De Los Eu," Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación de la Escuela Superios de Economía del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, in: Benemerita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (ed.), Política Económica: Análisis Monetario, Regional e Institucional, volume 1, chapter 2, pages 49-82, Escuela Superior de Economía, Instituto Politécnico Nacional.
    6. Lorenzo Zanello RIva, 2012. "El efecto día en cinco índices bursátiles de América Latina," Documentos Departamento de Economía 18081, Universidad del Norte.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    information; entropy; market patterns; behavioral finance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G - Financial Economics

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