Competition Links and Stock Returns

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We consider a firm’s competitiveness based on the manner by which other firms mention it on their 10-K filings. Using all public firm filings simultaneously, we implement a PageRank-type algorithm to produce a dynamic measure of firm competitiveness, denoted C-Rank. A high-minus-low C-Rank portfolio yields 16% alpha annually, where return predictability mainly stems from cross-sector competitiveness. The findings are largely consistent with investor underreaction to firm business opportunities identified by other strong firms. Nevertheless, stock return covariation with the C-Rank portfolio spread suggests that part of the return predictability can be interpreted as compensation for systematic cross-sector disruption risk.