TRADING VOLUME AND STOCK RETURNS: A META-ANALYSIS

TRADING VOLUME AND STOCK RETURNS: A META-ANALYSIS

Author: Mgr. Josef Bajzík
Type: IES Working Papers
Year: 2020
Number: 45
ISSN / ISBN:  
Published in: IES Working Papers 45/2020
Place: Prague
Keywords: Stock returns, trading volume, meta-analysis, Bayesian model averaging, publication bias
JEL codes: G10, G12, G14
Suggested citation: Bajzik J. (2020): "Trading Volume and Stock Returns: A Meta-Analysis" IES Working Papers 45/2020. IES FSV. Charles University.
Abstract: I examine 468 estimates on the relationship between trading volume and stock returns reported in 44 studies. I deploy recent nonlinear techniques for detecting publication bias together with Bayesian and frequentist model averaging to evaluate the heterogeneity in the estimates. The results yield three key conclusions. First, publication bias distorts the findings of the primary studies. After this bias is corrected, the literature shows that with higher trading volume, returns decline in both effects in the contemporaneous and even in the dynamic one. Second, one cannot rely on any general conclusions about stock markets. The predictability of stock returns varies with different markets and stock types. Third, different data characteristics, structural variations and methodologies used drive the heterogeneity in the results of the primary articles. In particular, one should be cautious when using monthly data or VAR models.
Download: wp_2020_45_bajzik.pdf