Investors' Response to Market Volatility and Financial Sophistication

Abstract

Using data from the 2021 National Financial Capability Study (NFCS), this study examines how individual investors' financial sophistication influences their response to the stock market in two scenarios: when the market drops by 20% and when the market increases by 20% for a brief period. The findings indicate that, relative to holding stocks, individual investors with higher levels of financial sophistication are more likely to purchase additional stocks and less likely to sell stocks when they experience a market drop for a brief period. Similarly, the study investigated how individuals react when the stock market rises for a short period and discovered that they are less inclined to buy and sell stocks than to hold them. Additionally, the results of this study provide insight into the case of myopic loss aversion (MLA), a supplementary finding of this paper. In addition to finding investors' optimal choice of buying and selling when the market moves, the present study provides supporting findings regarding the number of information sources used and trading frequency, all of which make a strong case for the influence of financial sophistication on MLA. In light of the recent COVID-19 and the ensuing volatility in the stock market, understanding how financial sophistication influences investors' reactions to the stock market is crucial for researchers, financial professionals, and policymakers.