Loss Aversion, Survival and Asset Prices
55 Pages Posted: 14 Mar 2011 Last revised: 26 Feb 2016
Date Written: June 1, 2015
Abstract
This paper studies the wealth and pricing implications of loss aversion in the presence of arbitrageurs with Epstein-Zin preferences. Loss aversion affects an investor's survival prospects mainly through its effect on the investor's portfolio holdings. Loss-averse investors will be driven out of the market and do not affect long-run prices if their portfolio positions are further away from those corresponding to the log investor than arbitrageurs. In terms of wealth shares, the market selection process can be slow, but the selection force is nonetheless effective in terms of price impact, which highlights the importance of introducing preference heterogeneity in understanding asset prices.
Keywords: loss aversion; narrow framing; Epstein-Zin preferences; market selection; asset prices
JEL Classification: G11, G12, D50
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation