Weak Form of Efficient Markets Hypothesis: A Spectral Analytic Investigation

Abstract

Spectral analysis is a powerful tool in detecting hidden patterns and cycles in a time series. This paper by Ranganatham and Subramanian is an attempt to test empirically the weak form of Efficient Markets Hypothesis (EMH) using the frequency domain approach of spectral analysis. The results of the analysis show that there are some periodic cycles in the price movements which run counter to the assertion of weak form of EMH. For a better understanding of the structure of price movements in the Indian stock market, this study calls for the use of this technique on a larger sample of individual share price series.