Samuel M Hartzmark

 

University of Southern California

Marshall School of Business

PhD Candidate

Finance and Business Economics

 

 

ReSearch Interests

Empirical Asset Pricing

Behavioral Finance

Prediction Markets

 

Email

hartzmar@usc.edu

 

SSRN Homepage

 

CV

 

 

 

Working Papers:

The Dividend Month Premium

With David Solomon

Abstract: We document that companies have positive abnormal returns in months when they are expected to pay dividends. Abnormal returns in predicted dividend months are high both relative to all other companies (by 53 basis points per month), and relative to dividend-paying companies in months without a predicted dividend (by 37 basis points per month). These results are consistent with time-series effects of dividend clienteles – investors who desire dividends bid up the price before the ex-dividend day. Consistent with this, daily returns increase as the ex-dividend day approaches, and are negative afterwards. Returns are also larger in periods of economic uncertainty, when demand for dividends may be higher.

 

Efficiency and the Disposition Effect in NFL Prediction Markets

With David Solomon

Abstract: Examining NFL betting contracts at Tradesports.com, we find mispricing consistent with the disposition effect, where investors are more likely to close out profitable positions than losing positions. Prices are too low when teams are ahead and too high when teams are behind. Returns following news events exhibit short-term reversals and longer-term momentum. These results do not appear driven by liquidity or non-financial reasons for trade. Finding the disposition effect in a negative expected return gambling market questions standard explanations for the effect (belief in mean reversion, prospect theory). It is consistent with cognitive dissonance, and models with time-inconsistent behavior.

 

COMING SOON:

Economic Uncertainty and Interest Rates

 

 

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