Testing Market Efficiency Using Statistical Arbitrage with Applications to Momentum and Value Strategies
48 Pages Posted: 25 May 2003
Date Written: April 15, 2003
Abstract
This paper introduces the concept of statistical arbitrage, a long horizon trading opportunity that generates a riskless profit and is designed to exploit persistent anomalies. Statistical arbitrage circumvents the "joint hypothesis" dilemma of traditional market efficiency tests because its definition is independent of any equilibrium model and its existence is incompatible with market efficiency. We provide a methodology to test for statistical arbitrage and then empirically investigate whether momentum and value trading strategies constitute statistical arbitrage opportunities. Despite controlling for transaction costs and the influence of small stocks, we find evidence that these strategies generate statistical arbitrage. Furthermore, their profitability does not appear to decline over time.
Keywords: market efficiency, statistical arbitrage, arbitrage, momentum, value
JEL Classification: G12, G14
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
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