Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Research in International Business and Finance

Publication Date

6-1-2021

Abstract

We examine the comovements between stock prices of different heavily shorted companies during a short-squeeze incident. Using the recent GameStop trading frenzy as a case study, we employ wavelet coherence analyses to determine its link with other frequently shorted stocks. We demonstrate a robust positive association between GameStop prices and the performance of high short interest indices. The bubble behavior driven by retail investor herding transmits between different stocks, even from unrelated sectors. Consequently, a single short-squeeze incident may build up into a potentially broader systemic risk, casting doubt on market integrity and stability.

ISSN

0275-5319

Publisher

Elsevier

Volume

58

Disciplines

Business

Keywords

GameStop, Wavelet coherence, Comovements, Short squeeze, Retail investors, Robinhood app, r/wallstreetbets, Investor herding, Social media, High short interest

Scopus ID

85107696215

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

yes

Open Access Type

Hybrid: This publication is openly available in a subscription-based journal/series

Included in

Business Commons

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