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November 14, 2023

Behavioral Finance & Sentiment

Autor:
Pedram Babaei
Markets

Financial markets are not only the scene of economic activity, but also of human psychology. While classical financial theories are based on rational markets, behavioral finance shows how human emotions and behavior influence markets. This article explores the world of behavioral finance, examines the irrationality of investors and the impact of sentiment on financial markets.

Irrationality and the Market Efficiency Hypothesis

The market efficiency hypothesis assumes that markets are rational and that all available information is already included in prices. However, the reality shows that investors do not always act rationally. Emotions such as fear, greed, and over-optimism can lead to irrational behavior that influences the prices of securities and questions the hypothesis of market efficiency.

Examples of Historical Events:

Many of the retail investors from the US used Robinhood, a neobroker, to trade the stock, which was even briefly suspended from trading

  • Dot-com bubble (late 1990s): Excessive optimism led to the overvaluation of technology stocks, whose abrupt crash led to a massive correction.
  • 2008 financial crisis: Excessive reliance on risky financial products triggered a credit bubble that shook the global financial system.
  • GameStop phenomenon (early 2021): Reddit users bought tons of shares in video game retailer GameStop to counter hedge funds that were betting on a fall in price. This so-called “short squeeze” showed how social media and collective actions can influence the market.

In the future, we will certainly have even bigger bubbles, each built around a new and different story of the new era, and we will have to invent new names for them.

- Robert Shiller, American economist & Nobel Prize winner

Influence of Great Personalities on Markets

Well-known figures from business and politics can have a significant influence on stock market prices, for various reasons. Personalities such as Elon Musk, the President of the USA or Christine Lagarde, head of the European Central Bank, can have a significant impact on markets with a single tweet or statement. Her words are often interpreted as a signal for investors and can strongly influence the prices of securities. Your words, actions or decisions can be interpreted by investors as signals for future developments on the financial markets. Here are a few key factors that explain their influence:

1. Credibility and Authority: Prominent figures, particularly from business and politics, often have strong credibility and authority in their respective fields of expertise. Your statements or actions are taken seriously by investors and markets and can be interpreted as indicators of the future direction of markets.

2. Significant resources and decision-making power: People such as CEOs of large companies, business leaders, or politicians have access to important information and resources. Your decisions can bring about significant changes in companies or in economic policy, which in turn influences the markets.

3. Media attention: Well-known personalities often have a broad media reach. Her public statements, whether in interviews, on social media platforms or in official speeches, reach a wide audience. As a result, they can directly influence investor sentiment and sentiment.

Importance of Sentiment Data

In this context, sentiment data is becoming increasingly important. They record and analyse the sentiment, emotions and general attitudes of investors and the market. For asset managers and investors, sentiment data is valuable because:

1. Early warning indicators of market movements: Sentiment data can be leading indicators of potential changes in market sentiment. For example, rising negative sentiment could indicate an imminent correction or volatility.

2. Supplement to fundamental analyses: In addition to traditional fundamental analyses, sentiment data offers another perspective. They help to better understand the emotions and psychology of markets, which often provides important insights into price dynamics.

3. Risk Management: Taking sentiment data into account enables asset managers to better assess risks. An overly optimistic or pessimistic sentiment could indicate overbought or oversold markets, which can serve as a warning sign of potential reversals.

Overall, sentiment data provides a deeper insight into the psyche of the markets and complements traditional methods of analysis. By understanding market sentiments and the potential influences of well-known personalities, investors and asset managers can make more informed decisions and adapt better to the dynamics of the financial markets.

Influence of Social Media on Stock Exchanges

The power of social media, particularly platforms such as Reddit, Twitter, and other online forums, has proven to be a significant factor in financial markets. Collective actions and discussions in these media can change sentiment and trigger price fluctuations.

The Importance of Sentiment Data for Asset Managers

Sentiment data, which reflect investor sentiment and feelings, is becoming increasingly important for asset managers. They help to understand market sentiment and make more informed investment decisions by being able to better assess potential price fluctuations and risks.

These developments illustrate the complexity of financial markets and how human behavior and external influences challenge the traditional assumptions of financial theory. A profound understanding of behavioral finance, sentiment and the influence of various factors on markets is essential to operate successfully in a dynamic and often irrational financial world.

How does Bavest help with sentiment analysis?

Our infrastructure at Bavest is based on various AI models that specialize in specific sources. Whether news, social media opinions or general market sentiment are recorded, analyzed and made available to our customers. Talk to us and find out more!

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