Investor Attention, Market Dynamics, and Momentum in the Korean Stock Market

Abstract

This study examines the effects of investor attention on momentum in the Korean stock market. The results reveal significant negative momentum profits in stock groups with high investor attention (high turnover stocks), but insignificant results in those with low investor attention (low turnover stocks). Within high turnover stock groups, the winner portfolio has a declining price trend and insignificant performance, while the loser portfolio realizes significant positive performance through a substantial price increase in the future period. The momentum effect is highly dependent on the reversed performance of the loser portfolio. Second, the performance of the large overreaction stock group shows a more significant negative momentum effect compared to the low overreaction stock group, that is, the degree of overreaction significantly affects the momentum effect. Third, negative momentum profits are consistently observed regardless of the market dynamics. Specifically, more substantial and significant negative performance occurs in the transition market, where the market situation reverses between the past and future periods. Fourth, negative momentum profits are consistently identified even after controlling for the impact of common factors and volatility and liquidity into turnover. Our findings are qualitatively different from the characteristics of the traditional momentum effects generally reported in Western countries.