Relative, absolute or combined strength momentum strategies: what works for India?

Abstract

Purpose

In the present study, we investigate whether enhanced momentum strategies outperform price momentum strategies and if they show greater resilience and stability under adverse market conditions. We also examine if such strategies are explained by prominent asset pricing models or are a result of behavioral mispricing.

Design/methodology/approach

Data consist of the equity shares of all companies listed on National Stock Exchange over the study period. To check the efficacy of enhanced momentum over price momentum, six momentum strategies have been designed and their raw as well as risk-adjusted returns using multi-factor models have been observed. Behavioral mispricing has been examined by constructing an investor attention index. Finally, few robustness tests have been performed to confirm the results.

Findings

We find that an enhanced momentum strategy which combines relative and absolute strength momentum outperforms conventional price momentum strategy in India. We also demonstrate that rational pricing models are not able to explain momentum profits for any of the strategies. Finally, we observe that investor overreaction is the possible explanation of momentum profits in India. Thus, our results confirm the role of behavioral mispricing in explaining momentum returns.

Originality/value

Our research is the first major attempt to study enhanced momentum strategies in the Indian context. We experiment with several new enhanced momentum strategies which have not been explored in prior literature. The findings have strong implications for global portfolio managers who wish to design profitable trading strategies.